Chopin Nocturne Op. 32 No. 1 in B Major (Arthur Rubinstein)

Chopin Nocturne Op. 32 No. 1 in B Major. Played by Arthur Rubinstein.


This piece has performance notes written by Dr. Theodor Kullak, German composer. I do not know that Rubinstein performed based on these notes, but the score I used includes them, so you can read them if you're interested. (The letters in the score correspond to letters in the notes.)

"The nocturne expresses feelings such as awaken in quiet hours of solitude far from the noisy world when one is absorbed in thought and reverie and dear familiar images arise in memory. In respect to its poetic contents the nocturne reminds one of Op.27 No.2. Like that, it has no secondary subject proper, but divides best into strophes which alternate with each other and apear at every repition continually more richly arrayed in point both of modulations and of figurations. The tender lyric mood continues to the coda. This latter is strangely and surprisingly dramatic in effect. It is as if something coming from without (perhaps repeated strokes of the clock, or a rapping at the door) suddenly made an end of all reveries.

"'A'-'B' forms the first strophe, which after a short interlude 'B'-'C', returns at 'C'. At 'D' a new one strophe appears, which is repeated at 'E'. At 'F' the coda begins.

"In correspondence with the prevailing mood of the nocturne, the delivery must be tenderly dreamy, and tranquil throughout. The more passionate outpourings must be rendered with moderation so as to avoid glaring contrasts. The coda is to be executed dramatically (recitativo).

"'G'. I prefer the older text of Fontana, which in the first and last measures of this line has d-sharp."


Performance Notes Copyright G. Schirmer, 1881.
Rubinstein's recording ©1999 RCA Red Seal, now Sony Entertainment.