Frédéric Chopin
Nocturne 17
in B Major, Op. 62 No. 1
Hiding its mysteries behind a reserved surface, this Nocturne is famed for its beautiful embellishments and multiple-bar-long trills.
Year: 1846
Period: Early Romantic
Piano score: PS Urtext 
Audiovisual Study Tool
Softspoken and subtle
The Nocturne in B major Op. 62 no. 1 stands out by how firmly it stays in the realm of the subtle, hiding its mysteries behind a meticulously written, almost reserved surface. Eschewing, for the most part, the lone melodic line over a rolling accompaniment typical of the genre, it supports its main theme with a web of counterpoint from the outset. The mood remains intimate throughout, the narrative weaving in and out of a gentle calm and softspoken melancholia, save for one outburst – a d sharp minor scale running up and down the length of the piano’s upper register, a cry of despair quelled as suddenly as it appears. When the contrasting middle section arrives, the music remains gentle, changing only to a single voice over a syncopated accompaniment and via a slight modification of emotional character. The return of the opening theme is famed for how it is embellished with figurations and multiple-bar-long trills and has been likened to an Italian da capo aria in the bel canto style, a genre Chopin is known to have loved.Background
The Nocturnes Op. 62 were the final Nocturnes to be published in Chopin’s lifetime. They were written between 1845 and 1846 and published in 1846, three years before his death.Forum posts about this piece:
Encore ideas? by jaquet
I have my first concert in september later this year and was wondering for encore ideas. I was orginally going to to do Liszt etude no 10 or op 62 no 1, but i have simply just included them into the program...
What does it take to be able to play Chopin's nocturnes Op. 62? by hpiano
Hi everyone, I have been playing piano for 3.5 years. It didn't long before I became obsessed with the classics. It started with Chopin, and it grew from there when I heard other amazing...
Improving auditory skills for improvising by mjames
When I'm improvising a theme I can only hear/think of left hand if the patterns are simple enough, like arperggios or w/e. But when I try being a little more complicated, "free form" on my left...
Producing a beautiful tone in the Chopin Nocturnes. by cheeriosok
Hello all, I would like to ask for some advice on producing a pure, and enjoyable interpretation of the Chopin Nocturne in B Major Op. 62 No. 1. This nocturne is rather complex, more so than most of...
Chained trills in Chopin by Floristan
I'm studying the nocturne Op. 62, No. 1 and wonder if anyone has practice tips for mastering the chained trills. ...
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Nocturne Op. 62 No. 1 in B Major, a composition by the early romantic composer Frédéric Chopin. The piano score of this piece was first published in 1846 and is part of Nocturnes by Chopin.