5 Breathtaking Nocturnes NOT by Chopin (ft. Lowell Liebermann)

Aren’t you just SICK and TIRED of Chopin Nocturnes!? No? Yeah, me neither actually…Regardless, there are some wonderful examples of the genre by lesser known composers which are well worth your time. So why not join composers Frederick Viner and Lowell Liebermann as they explore 5 breathtaking Nocturnes NOT by Chopin.
1) Clara Schumann: 0:26 - performed by Hyun Jung Won ( • Clara Schumann Op.6 No... )
2) Ignacy Jan Paderewski: 1:56 - performed by Violetta Khachikyan
( • Ignacy Jan Paderewski ... )
3) Ottorino Respighi: 3:31 - performed by Gloria Campaner
( • GLORIA CAMPANER | O. R... )
4) Francis Poulenc: 5:39 - performed by Ronaldo Rolim
( • Poulenc - Nocturne No.... )
5) Lowell Liebermann: 7:18 - performed by Milda Daunoraite
( • Milda Daunoraite - L. ... )
(www.lowellliebermann.com/)
Many thanks to all the incredible pianists who agreed to be a part of this video.
More Analysis: • Video
frederickviner.com/
www.buymeacoffee.com/FredViner

[@rinsim]

The fact that we have to divide nocturnes into Chopin's ones and those by the rest of the world says a lot about the greatness of the Maestro.

[@brianmichaels444]

Honestly though! In my opinion Chopin and John Field have the greatest nocturnes. John Field is the inventor of the Nocturne of course

[@user-tq4de3tf4h]

...about the phenomenon of the mass culture I think

[@e.hutchence-composer8203]

Fauré's nocturnes deserve a special mention too.

[@stefanhaffner]

Definitely. I've learned two in last few months. They are incredible

[@PieInTheSky9]

Faures nocturnes are fantastic.

[@bartpotters4496]

I wouldn't call Fauré less known. Agree on the nocturnes being amazing.

[@LagartoChicloso]

@@guillermoluengo3980 less known

[@ejb7969]

Faure's Nocturnes are breathtaking and not by Chopin. Those are the titular criteria for the video.

[@marinadela1361]

So glad that you included Respighi's Nocturne. It's breathtaking.

[@kasajizo8963]

John Field was the father of the nocturne he wrote 18 nocturnes that were the inspiration for Chopin's nocturnes.

[@lluisbofarullros3223]

+Kasa Jizo yes, and the mother of the nocturne could be Helene de Montgeroult

[@kasajizo8963]

@@allenapplewhite I'm not denying that. But at the same time, I much prefer John Field's nocturnes over Chopin's. Just a hot take.

[@kasajizo8963]

@@lluisbofarullros3223 I can't find any of her nocturnes anywhere?

[@lluisbofarullros3223]

@@kasajizo8963 Sorry I only know of her works from KZbin

[@kasajizo8963]

@@lluisbofarullros3223 why is she the mother of the nocturne?

[@christophfaulkner7295]

The whole suite of pieces by Respighi is stunning, especially the first Valse and the Etude. Beautiful.

[@FrederickViner]

I agree! I played the Valse at Manchester Airport and got a free coffee...

[@sloppysorabji]

Bortkiewicz, Faure, Lyapunov, and Scriabin all have some gorgeous nocturnes too

[@annazully2680]

maria syzmanowska, a contemporary of chopin, wrote several beautiful nocturnes that are beautiful to listen to, i particularly enjoy her nocturne in b flat major

[@sarahwilliams6330]

What a performance by the last pianist, Milda Daunoraite!! How have I not heard this performer before?? Absolute FIRE.

[@FrederickViner]

She's incredible isn't she? Definitely one to watch out for...

[@jb1980ist]

It's horribly difficult to play and I've never heard it done that fast before.

[@choirguy100]

I’m intrigued by the Lieberman nocturne. I had never heard of it until now. That last section seems to expand the nocturne genre beyond traditional expectations (serene, serenade-like, nocturnal piece). I want to hear more.

[@jacobscardino4330]

Maybe nobody else will figure he’s worth a mention but Satie’s nocturnes 1 and 3 strike something for me like no other nocturne I’ve ever heard. I know that’s pretty bold a statement especially loving the Poulenc and Chopin nocturnes, but Satie’s knack for simplistically aching beauty in my estimation is sorely under appreciated.

[@sheep6562]

Prokofiev's Nocturne (from his Divertissement Op. 43), like most of his works from that period, is extremely underrated. Kosenko's Nocturne-Fantaisie Op. 4 and Tansman's 4 Nocturnes are also very beautiful. There is also the more nightmarish nocturnes by Scriabin (Op. 61), Ornstein and Mosolov.

[@josantonioalcantara]

Even though part of Scriabin’s music is heavily inspired in Chopin’s, he has a unique style. For me there is romanticism, Chopin and Scriabin. Both composers have a very peculiar way to explore romanticism which makes me place them apart from other composers in the period. One is pessimistic and the other is mysterious and enigmatic. The nocturne for the left hand is very representative of what I’m talking about and one of the most beautiful nocturnes written so far.

[@HotRatsAndTheStooges]

All three of Rachmaninoff's Nocturnes are sorely underrated

[@heinrichalberts2912]

Scriabin nocturne for the left hand!!!♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@FrederickViner]

Wonderful piece!

[@johnchessant3012]

Thanks for introducing me to the Paderewski one, I had never heard it before and it's gorgeous

[@godluckNgoodspeed]

Scriabin's A-flat major nocturne!

[@charlesdavis7087]

Faure's nocturnes... awakened in me... new insights about walking in the night... far... beyond the stuffy solons of Chopin. Thanks for the Poulenc. I was completely ignorant. The whole production was first rate. Thanks... all of you.

[@manshammarstrom9397]

The notturno by Grieg is fantastic. I have performed it twice, and both times it was the undisputed crowd-favorite.

[@JoelAWeiss]

Do you have any videos of you playing it? My teacher assigned it to me recently - fantastic piece - would enjoy hearing your performance of it.

[@simonsmatthew]

Yes, this is an excellent choice.

[@mogret7451]

Yes! It's really beautiful 😊

[@ciararespect4296]

Yes and very easy. Crowd pleasers usually are like bach siloti prelude etc

[@JoelAWeiss]

@@ciararespect4296 total crowd pleaser. My challenge with it is keeping the repeated chords in the LH from over powering the melody in the RH. That's tricky for me As I continue working on it, I'm getting it.

[@composerlab]

Sorabji djami😍

[@that_oneguy_yt6329]

was looking for someone to mention sorabji lol. love le jardin parfume and gulistan to death

[@FranciscoCunha2004]

Oh my god it’s LIEBERMANN I have been listening to his flute concerto nonstop for days

[@naitsabets]

What a brilliant video! Thank you!

[@FrederickViner]

Thanks for watching, Sebastian!

[@lucawuthrich6594]

Here are another few good ones: Georgy Catoire: nocturne op 12 York Bowen: nocturne op 78 Selim Palmgren: no2 from nocturne in three sketches Mykola Lysenko: Nocturne op 19 Vesselin Stoyanov: no2 from three piano pieces Louis Vierne: op 35 no3

[@snorefest1621]

omg

[@serwoolsley]

wow i just came back from listening to jan lisiecki in rome and he did the paderewski's nocturne as a final extra, what a wonderful surprise

[@paul-etienne.pierrecourt]

Very surprised by the beautiful Nocturnes by Respighi and Poulenc. Thank you very much !

[@FrederickViner]

They're wonderful aren't they? So pleased you enjoyed them, Paul!

[@virillustris8554]

And i want to mention Borodin's Nocturne. It's just... stunning.

[@FrederickViner]

LOVE that piece

[@adeemuff]

Wow, this video has been randomly suggested to me by KZbin, and I'm shocked by how good it is. From Respighi to Liebermann #4, unbeknownst to my social bubble regardless of my personal admiration, this video compiles really good stuff. And, of course, I've discovered new nocturnes! Thank you very much. Edit: and now I'm a new sub, of course

[@FrederickViner]

Thanks for the kind words, Andy! I'm thrilled you enjoyed the video and the music. You've joined at a good time because I plan on more regular uploads and with better audio/visuals :)

[@johnwilkinson3880]

Of course left field: Nocturnes by Erik Satie. Just different.

[@Ivan_1791]

Thank you so much for this video Frederick. I enjoyed every second of it and you introduced me to 5 wonderful pieces I didn't know before. One of your best videos so far. What a gem!

[@renatochacon289]

One of my favorite Nocturnes not by Chopin is the Nocturno no.2 by Manuel M. Ponce

[@jb1980ist]

My favorite Liebermann Nocturne too.

[@terranbricklin]

Debussy's nocturnes are a true delight. I particularly enjoy L. 82 in D flat major. It has such a naturalistic quality to it, as if the music is sprouting up off the page.

[@brendanoflaherty1424]

Fabulous! Thoroughly enjoyed the selection, and commentary. A real bonus getting such wonderful suggestions from the nocturnophiles too. A few people have already mentioned Stanchinsky's nocturne (1907). It's a gem. Keep those comments coming!

[@wcsxwcsx]

As a rarity, I would recommend Bizet's Nocturne in F major. Extremely lush, and reminiscent of Field and Chopin.

[@kevinmcelhaney8066]

Great idea for a video. Shout out to the Barber nocturne! I think you should make a part 2 with 5 more.

[@RubenHogh]

Yes yes yes, excellent!! It's been mentioned already, but Barber's nocturne is one of a kind too! one of the most beautiful examples of 12 tone technique out there:-) Great that you managed to get Liebermann on to the channel!

[@GrotrianSeiler]

What a wonderful selection of pieces. Great video!

[@BeammeupSpotty]

thanks for turning me onto liebermann. i hadn't heard him before and I find it compelling.

[@FrederickViner]

Be sure to check out his other Nocturnes! You're in for a treat...

[@jayr526]

I was not familiar with any of these. You're bringing this to my attention was a wonderful gift. Thank you. Please excuse me while I go queue up some Chopin.

[@sneas.]

Bortkiewicz nocturne 'Diana' 😍

[@bethanywakim6175]

Love that you included Poulenc! Just when you think you’ve got him figured out, he tricks you haha. The “clocks” nocturne is fascinating. You might like his novelettes, too, if you haven’t heard them.

[@FrederickViner]

My favourite is actually no. 7 now, but I thought that no. 1 was a good introduction to what he's all about. I love the novelettes! And his Mélancolie!!!

[@mattheusversianicardosodem4831]

@@FrederickViner do you know his double piano concerto or his trio?? I think you would enjoy them aswell if you haven't heard it yet

[@diabl2master]

I've been looking for a video like this for so long.

[@serwoolsley]

Paderewski's one is wonderful

[@rsaettone]

I really love Tchaikovsky's Nocturne for Cello and Orchestra.

[@ripleyhrgiger4669]

Rolnado Rolim is an outstanding pianist and is musicianship is just lovely.

[@LukeFaulkner]

I'd like to recommend the Lyapunov Nocturne (Op. 8), which shows the influence of Chopin/Liszt but with something original. Plus it has a stunning melody, so worth checking out!

[@ViolettaKhachikyan_piano]

Thank you dear Frederick for such an informative and joyful video!

[@FrederickViner]

Thank YOU, Violetta, for your stunning performance! It was a joy to listen to and learn from your sensitive playing

[@khurshid_piano]

Thank you for this selection. Loved the first one by Clara Schuman. Must mention that the pianist who played the last nocturne is a hidden gem. She is just brilliant 💎

[@tomyaeger8688]

I really like Tchaikovsky's nocturne in C# minor. It is quite underrated

[@wangjimmy7936]

Thanks so much for this, nocturnes are my favourite repertoire of music!

[@opjazz]

The 3rd movement of Borodin's string quartet nr. 2 - a stunning beautiful nocturne

[@towards_the_flame]

To answer the question at the end, Pavel Aedonitsky's Nocturne is a complete delight. Fantastic video!

[@FrederickViner]

Thanks, Timothy! I'll have to check that out!

[@JT-tq2ti]

One mistake…not playing Paderewski’s OWN performance of his Nocturne!! It is even more spectacular than the Nocturne itself. Must hear it!

[@FrederickViner]

I'll have to check that out!

[@conan2717]

I love your videos! They wonderfully correspond to my own way of thinking about music :)

[@FrederickViner]

Thank you! Great to connect with like minded people :)

[@jacoborlowski931]

thanks for your videos Frederick!

[@FrederickViner]

It's my pleasure. Thank you for watching, Jacob!

[@r.i.p.volodya]

Very enjoyable - thank you. I agree with the comment below that Faure should be on the list. There's a nocturne in Grieg's Lyric Pieces. I believe that Rachmaninov wrote one. I shall do some research and see what I come up with 😁

[@samr9696]

you've sold me on the Respighi - going to learn it now!

[@FrederickViner]

Have fun :)

[@stevehinnenkamp5625]

Thank you, sir, for bringing these engaging works to our attention.

[@FrederickViner]

You're very welcome, Steve! Thanks for the comment

[@stevehinnenkamp5625]

Hello, maestro, it (these Noctuurnes) is really Grand Opera--2 hands minus the temparental singer. Is that a fair accessment? Grand Opera for those who cannot afford an Opera singer.

[@christianefleurant7089]

Isn't it amazing how much more nocturnes were written not by Chopin! For my part, I have a weakness for Gabriel Fauré nocturnes. I don't know all of them so I can't be more spécific. Thank you from Montréal, Canada.

[@roberthart9675]

Ah yes, the glorious Faure Nocturnes! (number 6 could be my favorite). It's so sad that they are so overlooked by concert pianists!

[@atekle1382]

criminally underplayed....this guy's level of Engligh makes me think if I should study music or English literature.

[@samuelmachale9598]

Fragoso's notturno!! Beautiful piece by an underrated composer

[@michaelacord228]

Thank you for this video. All five nocturnes are beautiful. I was only slightly familiar with the Clara Schumann nocturne. Also enjoyed Lowell Liebermann's commentary.

[@lukas_koe]

Loved this video, always looking for more great piano music

[@FrederickViner]

Thanks, Lukas! So pleased you enjoyed it :)

[@azaroma]

The first thing that popped into my head was Stanchinsky's Nocturne.

[@FrederickViner]

An absolute gem. Could certainly have slotted in here

[@f1f1s]

@@FrederickViner Stanchnsky’s nocturne is the only nocturne that I can digest because it is... the only ‘spicy’ nocturne that I am aware of. The middle part is absolutely genius. Currently learning it...

[@joannaaboukhazaa7496]

Never tired of Chopin’s nocturnes, great to explore other nocturnes

[@nicholasfontana5088]

Of Liebermann's nocturnes, I like number 8, which is similar to the one you mentioned in this video, but I became familiar with 8 before number 4 for some reason. Fantastic playing of number 4 that you included 😊💜

[@ey_charles]

Great selection!

[@FrederickViner]

Thank you, Carlos!

[@droogtchekhova32]

Thank you for your work, mister Viner! The Nocturne by Eduard Baghdasaryan is one of my favourites, but it is for violin and piano duo.

[@andante5133]

Manuel De Falla's nocturne is a very early work influenced by Chopin, but very nice. Also, there is the nocturne for the left hand by Scriabin. Well, nobody quotes them here but Liszt's nocturnes, including the very famous Love Dream, are nice too. Finally, Liebermann's work on the nocturnes is really fantastic, the 2, 4, 5, 7 or 8 are extraordinaries.

[@okb0ss336]

in addition to the other wonderful nocturnes mentioned in the comments, Griegs from op 54 is wonderful and among his best miniature pieces

[@Philip-js9yo]

As I started to love classical music, the first nocturne I've ever heard, was Clara Schumanns Op.6 , at this point I wasn't even aware of Chopin's. It's still one of my favorites. ❤

[@FrederickViner]

It's a gem isn't it?

[@Philip-js9yo]

@@FrederickViner Oh yes, it is! She is definitely uderrated. The awareness of her influence as an pianist and one of the important "architects" of modern live concert culture is ok but as an composer she is underrated! For only 23 Opus numbers in total, there are quite some gems, her Piano Concerto, Piano Trio, romances, some of her Songs,...

[@slowloris4346]

Charles Griffes Nocturne from Op6 Fantasy Pieces is incredible (as is everything he wrote, his tiny output is as high quality as Ravel) Great video, there were some pieces I didn't know about :)

[@davidbangtson3109]

I thoroughly enjoyed this video, but I must tell you that I found it rather amusing that the intro to a video devoted to the idea of exploring nocturnes not by Chopin would feature a few lines of music that is, in fact, from one of the most beloved of Chopin's nocturnes. Nothing wrong with it at all, just struck me as quite amusing.

[@MagicDonDino]

Great video! Even Nocturne by Shostakovich need a mention

[@mhermarckarakouzian8899]

I forgot to mention the obvious one: Debussy’s nocturnes for orchestra (I don’t know if that counts lol). There’s also the Nocturne from Borodin’s Petit Suite pour piano (later orchestrated by Glazunov) and is beautiful. To use your phraseology: probably the best nocturne ever written… by a chemist. Although, the Serenade is arguably the best part of that suite. It’s to die for.

[@nickarteaga175]

Alkan's op. 22 B major Nocturne is wonderful. I'm sure you know it. It's more like a harmonically advanced Field Nocturne. Faure's are wonderful, particularly #6,7 and his last #13.

[@ciararespect4296]

Dont forget to mention John Field the Irish originator of the entire form of the nocturne

[@magnus6563]

Grieg’s notturno is beautiful

[@tufsoft1]

When I was doing grade exams 60 years ago I learned Bernard Stevens' Nocturne no 2, I've always remembered the melody, simple but haunting. Later Bernard was a neighbour for a few years and I helped him develop a piece for solo guitar. Some of his music is really good and unjustly neglected.

[@oxxxi1488]

Wow, I´m really not disappointed by this video. None of the composers I expexted to be featured were and this really brightened by horiznos as far as nocturnos go. Thank for the effort you put into this! (Tips for others: Nicanor Abelardo c# nocturne)

[@RaptorT1V]

My favourite Nocturne NOT by Chopin is _Sergei Bortkiewicz - Nocturne (Diana), Op.24, №1_

[@petermorgan768]

Fanny Mendelssohn - Notturno in G minor, a favorite of mine that deserves to be mentioned and listened to.

[@jaapcramer]

How is Faure missing from this list? I love Nocturne #1, #7 and my fav #13. Thanks for all the other recomendations though. Good list. And I love Liebermann.

[@user-ig4tq5yd8o]

great video, thank you

[@FrederickViner]

Thank you!

[@virillustris8554]

There are also "Two Nocturnes" by A.Mosolov. Masterpiece.

[@nikkivanzanen]

I randomly got your video in my recommendations, and now I have new pieces to study! Can you make these more often?

[@FrederickViner]

Many thanks for watching, Nikki, and I hope you have fun with them! I plan to upload a bit more frequently now (2-3 videos a month) so keep an eye out :)

[@nikkivanzanen]

@@FrederickViner certainly will!

[@mhermarckarakouzian8899]

Also, if you haven’t already, you should check out Poulenc’s Melancholie. You will probably like it more than all his nocturnes combined lol

[@FrederickViner]

I absolutely adore that piece. Was playing it over Christmas!

[@choirguy100]

Sibelius also has a gorgeous nocturne for piano (maybe more than one, but I’ve only heard one 🙂)

[@pos_itronium]

Medtner has three absolutely delightful nocturnes for violin and piano (the second one was just my passion for several days, i could not stop listening to it). also, I like Alkan's nocturne op 22, you can listen to Hamelin's performance, simple and maybe too traditional but fascinating

[@hippophile]

Clara's Notturno is really beautiful especially the first half I think - and a lot of fun to learn too! A variety of little technical challenges, but all fairly short and not too hard. I loved playing this to friends. I would say similar difficulty to Chopin's first Nocturne, Op9#1 - what do you think?

[@rebeccae5691]

Thank you!

[@FrederickViner]

You're welcome!

[@JackOpulski]

I love Satie's nocturnes, they sound like something out of a dream.

[@antonioluissilvapiano]

Another great video! I played the whole set of Poulenc Nocturnes (the last one even ends almost exactly as the first one, but now in c major, unlike the first one that ends in g major), and they absolutely some magnificent works of art, with each Nocturne having their own distinct personality. I've also played the complete set of Respighi's pieces. They aren't memorable by any means, except for the Nocturne which is out of this world.

[@FrederickViner]

Thank you, António! I adore the Poulenc set, in particular No. 7. I do love Respighi's Valse Caressante too :)

[@jewelmarkess]

There is also Glinka's nocturne "La separation" which is also very beautiful.

[@simonewers4369]

was just about to comment that too. I love that one. Glinka's other one in E-flat Major is also worth mentioning

[@jewelmarkess]

@@simonewers4369 Yes

[@tyler-qr5jn]

bortkiewicz nocturne op 24 no 1 and Mélanie Chasselon - Nocturne, Abandon

[@ivanvaraschin657]

I like Bizet's Nocturne in D minor! extremely underplayed

[@julorg]

I guess I'd say Debussy, even though not for piano, those 3 pieces are wonderful each in its own way. And I love pointing out other unknown ones : Vierne opus 35 (n°1 deeply moving), Fauré opus 57 (5th piece in Shylock), the unusual ones by Satie. Once again on the orchestral side : Vaughan-Williams.

[@FrederickViner]

Lovely picks! Vierne's are absolutely stunning

[@danloschen5899]

well, Grieg's obviously....as a piano teacher of middle- and high-school students this one gets assigned to someone or other every few years. But Faure's are also gorgeous. Thanks for this video, I now have quite a few more to investigate

[@bitdall]

Who can be tired of chopin's nocturnes...

[@geoffreywarren3781]

Dear Frederick,Here's 2 more:Tchaikovsky op 10/1 in Fmajor,Grieg Nocturne

[@sumpex96]

I really like the liapunov op. 8 nocturne

[@umut1269]

Glinka nocturne Balakirev nocturne Rachmaninovv noctune Dobrzyansky nocturne my favorite nocturnes not by Chopin. But Chopin will always be at number 1 for me long live Chopin ! Thank you for this video showing and intruducing us with unknown pieces by lesser known composers.

[@FrederickViner]

Great choices!

[@dlee732ad]

All great and wonderful pieces yet I am left wondering where Scriabin fits into this picture?