Well these are some of Chopin's Masterpieces (complete with Opus numbers and nicknames)

What's your favourite?

I don't know many but I like the Raindrop Prelude

The Polonaise-Fantasie in A-flat major, op.61 (which is not in your list).

i actually quite like his op38 sonata.

It's got to be the G minor Ballade. Fab.

I considered the Heroic more popular and well known

That's in your opinion

Oh well Both are fab!

IrisH - LoonY

it has to be GMINOR - thats is a lush key - ahhhhhhhh.....

How many solo sonatas did he write? Grove Concise DoM lists only two, and Op. 35 is the first of these. I like Op. 58, in B minor, which you don't list.

The Fantasie-Impromptu, my ultimate goal as a pianist!

At the moment I am learning Nocturne no. 1, but No.2 is still my favourite!!!

this is my hundredth post! yay!

Am torn between Fantasie Impromptu and Minute waltz... Will vote later...hmmm

I HATE books that say only 2 Sonatas.

Chopin wrote 3 Piano Sonatas
No.1 in C minor Op.4
No.2 in B flat minor Op.35
No.3 in B minor Op.58

IrisH - LoonY

I voted for Op. 10 No. 12 in the end, but I was sorely tempted by the B Minor Sonata.

I believe this was a piece Liszt played in octaves, or at least the left hand, to prove a point or something!

is no3 op38 the forgotten sonata or something? its one of his most brilliant themes. He has so many different themes in the first movement....enough for about 10 sonatas.

so he wrote more than 3

Gosh, I've never heard of that, and I thought his Variations on a Theme by Rossini for Flute and Piano or early Polonaises were obscure!

IrisH - LoonY

I love the variations piece...especially the recording by Piers Adams.. Have you heard that IL?

im not sure if its obscure...i mean...it sounds like a real virtuoso sonata, and im sure the last movement is a famous one.

Its wierd as well as its in 4 movements - exposition, a scherzo, the development, and the finale. So maybe thats why it hasnt really been exposed like his other works!

i have a recording of claudio arrau playing it....wow! maybe thats why it sounds like such a fab piece!!

IRISH LOONY.......how about a bit of yaywooness

no comment at this time from this exhuberant exaggered user of energetic forums. thank you

Fantaisie Op. 49
Polonaise-Fantaisie Op. 61
Impromptu nr. 1
Both contertos for piano and orchestra
Preludes nr. 5, 8, 9, 12, 13, 17, 19, 21, 26
Ballades nr. 1 & 4
Nocturne nr. 20
Barcarolle
...

I love many of the less known works by Chopin ! Sometimes their charm is more subtle.

Dreyshock was the one who played the Revolutionary in octaves. Liszt did the Op.25 No.2 in octaves after hearing Dreyshock play the Revolutionary to prove that he was still the best pianist around.



Op.38 is the F major Ballade. Chopin only wrote 3 Piano Sonatas: Op.4, Op.35 and Op.58, and a Sonata for Piano and Cello, which is Op.65

i only know one song here......Fantaisie Impromptu

Oh gosh, just seen Nocturne in Eb...I dont think I'm gonna vote at all at this rate! At lot of them,, like the polonaises and stuff i know by ear but dont recognise opus numbers.

I adore this little piece by Chopin called "the butterfly" that my friend used to play. Does anyone know what I mean?

well. im sitting here staring at a recording of Chopins Piano Sonata No.3 in B Minor, op38!!!

Re "Butterfly": From the Etudes Op. 25, it's No.9 in G-flat major. Lovely work.

Thanks Storini! I might go and look for that (to listen to, not to play!)

I love all the Etudes.One of my favs is Op.10 No 3...very famous and one of the easiest to play. I also love Op.25 No 12....which is slightly harder *smirking*

i think number 4 from op10 must be the hardest.

As a set though, i think op25 are harder generally than op10. In that, chopin takes physical stamina to the absolute limit.

The 26 preludes are special because they are all very different in mood and style. Some of them sound very modern and are barely recognizable as Chopin.
Nr. 15 (Rain Drop) is definitely not my favorite one.

Further to my earlier posting about Chopin's Etudes.

I'm currently reading Menuhin - the Humprey Burton edition. It certainly is a most enjoyable read and I'm not looking forward to concluding it. ( Going to re-read The Magus again,after this.)

Many years ago I had a vinyl recording of Chopin Etudes. I think they were a fine interpretation and I haven't been able to duplicate them on CD...I have another CD performed by a lady,but they lack depth and passion.

Imagine my surprise when the performer's name crops up in Menuhin.The guy is married to his daughter,Zamira, and his name is Fou Ts'ong.

What a small world and what a coincidence.

If you locate any recordings of this fine pianist...Amazon defo have them...library?...then it's a well worth listening experience.

Edit: Further reading indicates he was her first husband. There does appear to be quite a number of divorces within the Menuhin clan. I'm glad to hear that third marriages do work out,but I'm not going to go down that road ever again.

[quote=sl123451,Nov 11 2005, 05:03 PM]

[/quote]

Op.38 is the F major Ballade. Chopin only wrote 3 Piano Sonatas: Op.4, Op.35 and Op.58, and a Sonata for Piano and Cello, which is Op.65

[/quote]

well. im sitting here staring at a recording of Chopins Piano Sonata No.3 in B Minor, op38!!!

[/quote]

Chopin's Piano Sonata No.3 in B minor is Op.58, not Op.38. Could you have misread it?

I love his Nocturnes. I love the one in C#minor (that was the sound track form the movie: The Pianist) and I love the one in Bflat minor, if I'm not mistaken, but I dont know which opus.

What does it mean ''opus'', anyway? Why do composers put that into their titles?

The B flat minor Nocturne is Op.9 No.1

Opus is Latin (I think) for "work" It's a method of cataloguing a composer's output, It's like the general cataloging technique, instead of using specific ones like the K in Mozart's works or BWV in Bach's works etc.

In regards to sl123451 and pianoplayer's comments, piano player is right, Chopin's B minor Sonata IS Op.58, NOT 38. His Op.38 is the Ballade No.2 in F. And he did only write 3 solo piano sonatas and 1 Cello Sonata.

IrisH - LoonY

I've just been reading about Chopin's reception as a composer and acceptance as part of the canon in the 19th century. It made out the Nocturnes as his most acclaimed. I've played a waltz in C minor (forgot opus number, starts G#-E with C# vamp in left hand). I got the Polonaises a while ago and looked at the C minor one on the grade 8 list.

That waltz would be the Op.64 No.2.

Yes his nocturnes were most acclaimed, he borrowed the form from John Field (Irish composer) and brought the meaning of "Nocturne" to a whole new level of passion, expressiveness and technicality.

IrisH - LoonY

I've just heard this on the radio as I was trying to find a channel..it is soo great.

What recording do you have of it IL? Have you heard the Piers Adams one? Thatis fantastic.

Yep, sounds familiar.

well i dont mean to be patronising...but i do have right in front of me his opus.38 piano sonata in b minor, 4 movements, played by Claudio Arrau, released by EMI Records. Im sure such a big label would not make such a big mistake.

and my sight isnt quite that bad

Well, they are wrong. Op.38 is Ballade No.2 in F Major. Op.58 is Sonata No.3.

Thank you

IrisH - LoonY

IL- I think you maybe missing my post

Just want to add that Fou Ts'ong is the first chinese to get the third prize in 1955 chopin competition with mazurkas. Li Yun-di is the second in 2000.

Back to the issue, I choose etude op.10 no.12 revolutionary nowadays while some times ago I like the fantasie impromptu most. I also like waltz op.18, op.64 no.1 and op.69 no.1.

O_L

Well then, maybe you would like to take a walk to the nearest cd shop and check out all the cds have has Chopin's B minor Sonata.

Boys & Girls,Ladies & Gentleman...no bickering now,please

Hope this helps.

http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/store/smp_de...54&item=2401941

I have also cut & pasted all his solo piano works. Or is this wrong?

Contents:
Complete Preludes

Prelude in C Major Op. 28 #1
Prelude in A Minor Op. 28 #2
Prelude in G Major Op. 28 #3
Prelude in E Minor Op. 28 #4
Prelude in D Major Op. 28 #5
Prelude in B Minor Op. 28 #6
Prelude in A Major Op. 28 #7
Prelude in F# Minor Op. 28 #8
Prelude in E Major Op. 28 #9
Prelude in C# Minor Op. 28 #10
Prelude in B Major Op. 28 #11
Prelude in G# Minor Op. 28 #12
Prelude in F# Major Op. 28 #13
Prelude in Eb Minor Op. 28 #14
Prelude in Db Major (Raindrop) Op. 28 #15
Prelude in Bb Minor Op. 28 #16
Prelude in Ab Major Op. 28 #17
Prelude in F Minor Op. 28 #18
Prelude in Eb Major Op. 28 #19
Prelude in C Minor Op. 28 #20
Prelude in Bb Major Op. 28 #21
Prelude in G Minor Op. 28 #22
Prelude in F Major Op. 28 #23
Prelude in D Minor Op. 28 #24
Prelude in C# Minor Op. 45

Complete Nocturnes

Nocturne in Bb Minor Op. 9 #1
Nocturne in Eb Major Op. 9 #2
Nocturne in B Major Op. 9 #3
Nocturne in F Major Op. 15 #1
Nocturne in F# Major Op. 15 #2
Nocturne in G Minor Op. 15 #3
Nocturne in C# Minor Op. 27 #1
Nocturne in Db Major Op. 27 #2
Nocturne in B Major Op. 32 #1
Nocturne in Ab Major Op. 32 #2
Nocturne in G Minor Op. 37 #1
Nocturne in G Major Op. 37 #2
Nocturne in C Minor Op. 48 #1
Nocturne in F# Minor Op. 48 #2
Nocturne in F Minor Op. 55 #1
Nocturne in Eb Major Op. 55 #2
Nocturne in B Major Op. 62 #1
Nocturne in E Major Op. 62 #2
Nocturne in E Minor Op. 72 #1
Nocturne in C# Minor (Op. posth.) FCP #1.

Complete Mazurkas

Mazurka in F# Minor Op. 6 #1
Mazurka in C# Minor Op. 6 #2
Mazurka in E Major Op. 6 #3
Mazurka in Eb Minor Op. 6 #4
Mazurka in Bb Major Op. 7 #1
Mazurka in A Minor Op. 7 #2
Mazurka in F Minor Op. 7 #3
Mazurka in Ab Major Op. 7 #4
Mazurka in C Major Op. 7 #5
Mazurka in Bb Major Op. 17 #1
Mazurka in E Minor Op. 17 #2
Mazurka in Ab Major Op. 17 #3
Mazurka in A Minor Op. 17 #4
Mazurka in G Minor Op. 24 #1
Mazurka in C Major Op. 24 #2
Mazurka in Ab Major Op. 24 #3
Mazurka in Bb Minor Op. 24 #4
Mazurka in C Minor Op. 30 #1
Mazurka in B Minor Op. 30 #2
Mazurka in Db Major Op. 30 #3
Mazurka in C# Minor Op. 30 #4
Mazurka in G# Minor Op. 33 #1
Mazurka in D Major Op. 33 #2
Mazurka in C Major Op. 33 #3
Mazurka in B Minor Op. 33 #4
Mazurka in C# Minor Op. 41 #1
Mazurka in E Minor Op. 41 #2
Mazurka in B Major Op. 41 #3
Mazurka in Ab Major Op. 41 #4
Mazurka in G Major Op. 50 #1
Mazurka in Ab Major Op. 50 #2
Mazurka in C# Minor Op. 50 #3
Mazurka in B Major Op. 56 #1
Mazurka in C Major Op. 56 #2
Mazurka in C Minor Op. 56 #3
Mazurka in A Minor Op. 59 #1
Mazurka in Ab Major Op. 59 #2
Mazurka in F# Minor Op. 59 #3
Mazurka in B Major Op. 63 #1
Mazurka in F Minor Op. 63 #2
Mazurka in C# Minor Op. 63 #3
Mazurka in G Major Op. 67 #1
Mazurka in G Minor Op. 67 #2
Mazurka in C Major Op. 67 #3
Mazurka in A Minor Op. 67 #4
Mazurka in C Major Op. 68 #1
Mazurka in A Minor Op. 68 #2
Mazurka in F Major Op. 68 #3
Mazurka in F Minor Op. 68 #4
Mazurka in A Minor (Notre Temps)
Mazurka in A Minor

Complete Polonaises

Polonaise in C# Minor Op. 26 #1
Polonaise in Eb Minor Op. 26 #2
Polonaise in A Major (Militaire) Op. 40 #1
Polonaise in C Minor Op. 40 #2
Polonaise in F# Minor Op. 44
Polonaise in Ab Major (Heroic) Op. 53
Polonaise-Fantaisie in Ab Major Op. 61
Polonaise in D Minor Op. 71 #1
Polonaise in Bb Major Op. 71 #2
Polonaise in F Minor Op. 71 #3
Polonaise in G# Minor (Op. posth.)

Complete Waltzes

Waltz in Eb Major (Grand Valse brillante) Op. 18
Waltz in Ab Major (Grand Valse brillante) Op. 34 #1
Waltz in A Minor (Grand Valse brillante) Op. 34 #2
Waltz in F Major (Grand Valse brillante) Op. 34 #3
Waltz in Ab Major (Grand Valse) Op. 42
Waltz in Db Major (Minute Waltz) Op. 64 #1
Waltz in C# Minor Op. 64 #2
Waltz in Ab Major Op. 64 #3
Waltz in Ab Major (L'adieu) Op. 69 #1
Waltz in B Minor Op. 69 #2
Waltz in Gb Major Op. 70 #1
Waltz in F Minor Op. 70 #2
Waltz in Db Major Op. 70 #3
Waltz in E Minor (Op. poth)
Waltz in E Major (Op. poth.)

Complete Etudes

Etude in C Major Op. 10 #1
Etude in A Minor Op. 10 #2
Etude in E Major Op. 10 #3
Etude in C# Minor Op. 10 #4
Etude in Gb Major (Black Key) Op. 10 #5
Etude in Eb Major Op. 10 #6
Etude in C Major Op. 10 #7
Etude in F Major Op. 10 #8
Etude in F Minor Op. 10 #9
Etude in Ab Major Op. 10 #10
Etude in Eb Major Op. 10 #11
Etude in C Minor (Revolutionary) Op. 10 #12
Etude in Ab Major (Aeolian Harp) Op. 25 #1
Etude in F Minor Op. 25 #2
Etude in F Major Op. 25 #3
Etude in A Minor Op. 25 #4
Etude in E Minor Op. 25 #5
Etude in G# Minor Op. 25 #6
Etude in C# Minor Op. 25 #7
Etude in Db Major Op. 25 #8
Etude in Gb Major (Butterfly) Op. 25 #9
Etude in B Minor Op. 25 #10
Etude in A Minor (Winter Wind) Op. 25 #11
Etude in C Minor Op. 25 #12
Three New Etudes: No. 1 in F Minor
Three New Etudes: No. 2 in Ab Major
Three New Etudes: No. 3 in Db Major

Complete Scherzos

Scherzo No. 1 in B Minor Op. 20
Scherzo No. 2 in Bb Minor Op. 31
Scherzo No. 3 in C# Minor Op. 39
Scherzo No. 4 in E Major Op. 54

Complete Impromptus

Impromptu No. 1 in Ab Major Op. 29
Impromptu No. 2 in F# Minor Op. 36
Impromptu No. 3 in Gb Major Op. 51
Impromptu No. 4 in C# Minor (Fantaisie-Impromptu) Op. 66

Complete Ballades

Ballade No. 1 in Ab Major Op. 23
****************************Ballade No. 2 in F Major Op. 38
Ballade No. 3 in Ab Major Op. 47
Ballade No. 4 in F Minor Op. 52

Complete Sonatas

Sonata No. 1 in C Minor Op. 4
Sonata No. 2 in Bb Minor Op. 35
****************************Sonata No. 3 in B Minor Op. 58

Misc. Solo Piano Works

Rondo in C Minor Op. 1
Rondo a la Mazur Op. 5
Introduction and Variations Op. 12
on Je vends des scapulaires
Introduction and rondo Op. 16
Bolero Op. 19
Tarantelle Op. 43
Allegro de Concert Op. 46
Fantasy in F Minor Op. 49
Berceuse Op. 57
Barcarolle Op. 60
Funeral March in C Minor Op. 72 #2
Three Ecossaises Op. 72 #3
Introduction and Variations on a German Air Dershwe
Der Schweizerbub
Variation No. 6 from the Hexameron Heramero
(Variations on the March from Bellini's I Puritani)

Works for Piano and Orchestra

Variations on La Ci darem la mano. Op. 2
Concerto No. 1 in E Minor Op. 11
Grand Fantaisie on Polish Themes Op. 13
Krakowiak. Grand Rondo de Concert Op. 14
Concerto No. 2 in F Minor Op. 21
Andante Spianato & Grande Polonaise Brillante Op. 22

BTW, I would also suggest the following site for midi files of his works.

http://www.gressus.se/chopin/midi/chopin.html

O_L

Does it really matter? It's only a bloomin opus number for crying out loud.