Chopin's Piano Sonata in B Minor, Op. 58

Chopin’s Piano Sonata in B minor, Op. 58 was written in 1844, five years before his death.

General structure:

Allegro maestoso:
• follows the conventional sonata form: exposition, development, recapitulation, and coda
• A falling ninth from G to F# in the opening = a feeling of anguish, in my opinion
• EXPOSITION: first theme + extended, nocturne-like second theme (see broken-chord accompaniment in the left hand) LOVELY!
• DEVELOPMENT: texture thickens and becomes contrapuntal
• RECAPITULATION: the second theme (B major) is emphasized instead of the main theme
• CODA: reminds me of Chopin’s Fantasy, Op. 49 (arpeggio section)
COMMENT: On the first page of the musical score, several notes proceed in contrary motion which at the same time brings striking harmonic twists.

Scherzo:
• Chopin placed Scherzo in the second movement rather than the third
• Super-short. It lasts only 2 minutes long.
• It is in ternary form
• Outer section: light, glistening; characterized by eighth notes runs in the right hand
• Contrasting trio section: counterpoint over long-held notes; chordal structure

Largo:
• A flowing theme over a march-like bass line
• Overall mood: serene, somewhat nostalgic

Presto non tanto:
• Dramatic and virtuosic piece
• Rondo form
• The movement ends in B major

The structure of this sonata is similar to his Second Piano Sonata in Bb minor except a lyrical largo rather than a funeral march. I don’t know much about Chopin’s sonatas. I look forward to Eddie’s presentation and will add more stuff on my blog.