Don't try this Nocturne at home! (Chopin, Op. 9 no. 3 in B major) - Analysis

[@BentuxTheCowBenedict]

Early as this piece was written, this really reminds me of the wildness of scriabin - impulsive chromaticism and polyrhythms, and of course those crazy wide left hand figurations (you really weren’t kidding when you said this was hard!)

[@SonataSecrets]

That's true!

[@josantonioalcantara]

Nicely pointed out! In fact this is no surprise since it is known that Scriabin admired Chopin and based his early piano work heavily on Chopin’s music.

[@handznet]

@@josantonioalcantara Yep, Scriabin was heavily inspired by chopin in the beginning, but he still had his quite unique vibe to it.

[@josantonioalcantara]

@@handznet I totally agree. He had his very unique way to develop his ideas in his early work.

[@MusicalSeriesChannel]

I thought the SAME thing! Reason why it's an underrated Nocturne? There is also an op. 14 no.2 Scriabin left hand "hidden" in the piece xD

[@AshishXiangyiKumar]

These are fantastic videos - you cover a lot of ground in a very accessible way while pointing out a lot of fairly subtle detail, like the use of chromaticism in the middle section LH. (I also get the feeling that over time you've become more comfortable getting into the weeds, which I appreciate a lot!)

[@mediumsizedgrape]

Nice surprise seeing you here

[@Max-qd3rb]

the goat himself

[@randyedward1]

B major is such a mellow and understated key, and your playing is beautifully appropriate! Thank you for sharing this Chopin gem.

[@SonataSecrets]

Thank you so much!

[@seancarter5828]

Not understated for Chopin. He thought B, Db and Gb were the best keys for piano. Difficult to read, but more natural to play.

[@jestemqiqi7647]

@@seancarter5828 Allegedly Chopin taught his students the B major scale first because he thought “it fits the hand like a glove”.

[@khenali25u8]

This is my favorite Nocturne. On my list of pieces I have to learn before I die. I dont know much music theory as I am not a professional musican. Your breakdowns are giving me knowledge that I've never had before/ helping to reinforce knowledge i learned in my lessons, and I am still learning in them too. Looking forward to many more breakdowns

[@SonataSecrets]

I'm so pleased to hear that! Some sections of this are more playable than others at least (for example the nice first sostenuto part).

[@khenali25u8]

@@SonataSecrets either way your analysis has helped to prepare me for when I try to tackle this someday:) thank you so much

[@arsmelancholiae]

This is indeed a very nice nocturne. I'd even say I prefer this to op. 9 no. 2, which is beautiful too ofc but quite overrated and less sophisticated harmonically. I also love no. 19 in e minor and op. 15 no. 3 in g minor.

[@unebellepatience1197]

@@arsmelancholiae same for me it is op no. 1, then number 3 and number 2

[@ulrichalbrecht9723]

congratulation you will become very old then !😊

[@jmancl1252]

The most amazing party of chopins nocturnes to me, and why they are my favorite pieces ever, is his ability to tell a story through notes alone and how the music can capture emotions so well. I really feel something during the restatement of that first theme it’s brilliant.

[@SonataSecrets]

Absolutely, for me too. It's like he has found the perfect setup in the nocturne to use melody and texture in creative ways that he really masters, and then epicness follows.

[@PhillipLWilcher]

I sometimes think that the sostenuto melody at 8:41 is the most beautiful Chopin ever wrote. It's a gorgeous nocturne, I adore it!

[@gbrinch]

agreed

[@PhillipLWilcher]

@@gbrinch Blessings!

[@DunkeyKonga]

It's my favourite too

[@PhillipLWilcher]

@@DunkeyKonga I'm glad!

[@4rthur4rmstrong]

Agreed, this part is amazing

[@tackontitan]

The deceptive cadence on g-sharp minor in the coda was so surprising when I first heard it. The progression sounds so modern and timeless

[@ivan-qp4mi]

Just found your channel looking for this particular piece just because I've learned to play (not so well), both Op.9 No 1 and No 2. No 1 is so underrated, I can't stop trying to make it better!! But I've listened to No. 3 so many times and I feel like in about 100 years, if they figure out how to stop the aging process, I might be able to learn this piece too 😆. Thank you for the upload!!

[@jonnierman3954]

Another brilliant video. Great analysis and beautiful playing.

[@SonataSecrets]

Thanks Jon!

[@ocmolina83]

I've recently learned op no9 no 1. With that I'm only missing no 3 to complete op 9. Now I know what I'm getting into. It's a beautiful piece! Thanks for putting this video together.

[@etudeando]

I really enjoy your considerations about pieces. Your effort and appreciation is a "must" I suggest your videos a lot .

[@SonataSecrets]

Thank you Henry, I appreciate it!

[@nielsenja]

19:57 "but of course ... it happened ^.^ can't deny it"

[@wiliamfmz14]

I love this nocturne, its so elegant, And that resolution at 14:19 damnnn

[@nitzer280]

This is brilliant detail for one of Chopin's most iconic, beautiful, and crazy difficult to play masterpiece! Well done.

[@clementbeaudonnat1381]

Very well done again Henrik! What an amazing piece, and what a great story teller (and interpreter) you are.

[@SonataSecrets]

Thank you so much Clément!

[@iresta4593]

❤Als ich diese Nocturne das erste mal hörte, musste ich weinen und konnte mich kaum beruhigen! Ich finde sie soooo berührend, sodass ich sie immer wieder hören muss! Ich wollte das Stück unbedingt spielen lernen und übte zuerst nur jede Hand alleine . Ich bin 72 Jahre alt und spiele schon länger, schaffe es bis jetzt aber nur bis zum schnellen Teil. Die Linke des schnellen Teils finde ich extrem schwierig und übe wohl noch sehr lange daran! Weil ich diese Nocturne sosehr liebe ❤ werde ich einfach üben und nochmals üben und mich daran erfreuen, wieviel ich schon erreicht habe, auch wenn ich es nicht perfekt schaffe. Der Weg ist das Wichtigste und die grosse Freude daran! ❤ und…nicht aufgeben! 😅😊

[@rushunnhfernandes]

If I heard correctly, the 'ornamentation orgy'? 😂 i like it. It's a phrase I'll be using.

[@john_demartini]

😅

[@ChiKitWong426]

The emojis actually capture the emotions of each phrase fairly accurately! Well done haha

[@jessieborrell1856]

Whenever I hear this piece I also always note how "Chopin"-y it sounds. This piece definitely seems like a beast to play! lol

[@fionanogawa1730]

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and insights in such an inspiring way - please keep making these videos!

[@remibrunet4567]

One of my favorite Nocturne as well, though still struggling with the middle part. Thanks a lot for the video, always a pleasure to watch. May I ask why you're playing twice an E at 1:08 & 3:40 ? Second E does not seem needed, does it?

[@SonataSecrets]

I realized this after the editing so I put it only down in the description, but there are different editions - I'm playing from a Henle score, but it's not the same as the one I used for the video! I'm not sure which one is more correct, I can make sense of both musically.

[@naturalandvalid8576]

I appreciate this video VERY MUCH. This has got to be my favorite Nocturne. So many amazing and beautiful moments, but my most favorite moments are at the end. The quickly ascending powerfully triumphant 11-tuplet and OF COURSE the final two measures. I love the way you speak of the last two bars...not in your words, but in your smile...your tone...I was waiting excitedly to hear what you said about the end...and I felt you sort of mirrored my feelings. Despite it being one of the most simple parts of the piece, there's something special about it. I learned some of the easier main part...none of the middle section(In the past, while reading the music and listening, I was almost completely unable to even hear what I was seeing in the sheets XD)...and of course, the final two bars. One detail I love about this very end part is how the two hands reach their lowest(right hand) and highest(left hand) points one note out of sync of each other. By the time the right hand reaches it's lowest note, the left has already turned around. Probably my favorite part of this video was the part at the end of the middle section where you showcased the alternating D and D#...the sound it creates...the effect it has on the ears...it's a detail that is easily lost in the "whole." A question I've always had...spawning from this piece specifically...is in regards to the tuplets. Playing triplets over eighth notes is gosh darn hard enough to master with being sort of out of sync...but these 5, 7, 11, 14, 22 tuplets!? HOW ON EARTH DO YOU FIGURE THESE OUT? My mind tells me to begin with math...divide the tuplet number by the number of eighth notes in the left hand....to get SOME sense of how it all lines up. Now I'm just rambling lol. Thanks for the vid! Oh, and GREAT playing...there were a few moments where your playing really stuck out because it was unlike how I heard those parts before...in the most beautiful way. Actually made me wonder how it would be to hear Chopin himself play his pieces...would he bring something we've never heard before?

[@FL2070]

The wacky-numbered tuplets are played by faking it. You just play it at an approximation of the right tempo, fitting it in with whatever's going on in rest of the part of the piece it inhabits so that it ends on the right beat and sounds about even. Aside from maybe the 5-let, almost nobody ever gets those huge 17-lets, 22-lets, etc, precisely correct in tempo, not even the greatest pianists to have ever lived.

[@hippophile]

Great analysis!! Love this piece, but after working on it for a bit on my own, I eventually put it on the back burner for the one reason: because of the page of agitato which I found hard to get up to a sufficiently agitated pace. "Agitato" is always a warning sign!! I will return!! (By the way I love the "risoluto" bar, ending "con forza" near the end, which I like to time meaningfully and make a lot of...)

[@Abcdlmnop-w4n]

Man I wish I could play like you, much love and respect!

[@GeodesicBruh]

Great piece and analysis as usual

[@escapist502]

This is beautiful, thanks for this video, I’m also a fan of his music and what a piece this is. When I was younger, I remember a piano teacher telling me, that Chopin would teach beginning students the B major scale instead of the C major scale, because ergonomically B major “fits” the human hand more naturally. I don’t know if this is really true, but out of all the things I was taught for many years, I still remember this little detail… if anyone reading this knows more about that please feel free to comment… I can certainly say, even though I’m not a classical pianist, I’m a jazz player, that anytime I’ve learned Chopin‘s music even just a couple of bars, it has had a tremendous impact on the rest of my piano playing. Thanks for your video and I’m a new subscriber!

[@DeflatingAtheism]

Certainly, I have noticed that virtuoso piano music of the late Romantic era favors the 'black’ keys, and I figured ergonomics had something to do with it.

[@gracepiano]

Learning this piece for my diploma! Thank you for the video

[@joypatnaik1814]

marvellous sounding piano beautifully played

[@arongach7241]

Oh, thank you for sharing this video about this piece, I really like it!

[@walterw9829]

Henrik, if you ever develop a course on modulation, I would buy it. Excellent information.

[@SonataSecrets]

Hmm good idea...

[@l.matthewblancett8031]

omg. thank you SO MUCH for this!! im going to go study this now!

[@joyfulfishman5445]

I love your videos so much, and I have to say it feels like they’re getting better and better every time you post! Thanks for the awesome work you do 🙏

[@SonataSecrets]

Glad you like them!

[@sofiachen1529]

I just got this sheet music and am going to try it out later as i think the melody is really beautiful.❤❤❤

[@konikacariapa3289]

So glad to have discovered your channel. Thank you!

[@1955robyn]

Oh my! Such an exquisite piece. I would love to be able to fly with my fingers like your little stick figure - and then I saw the ending 🫣😵‍💫Maybe I will just try the first bit….Thank you for this channel. I love it!! ❤🎶

[@franciscahernandezs.4594]

This is one of the Masterpieces I love the most💜🎵

[@mjmassi11]

I enjoyed this analysis very much!

[@SonataSecrets]

Thanks for the support Michael!

[@LukeSchneiderEWI]

Thanks for your very helpful videos ! Im actually going to try to play this with a WIND SYNTH using a trumpet patch 🎺😮😛

[@guille____]

just found your channel... i already love it! new suscriber :)

[@caterscarrots3407]

About those leaps, I know what it's like to make those uncomfortable leaps. And a leaping left hand often limits my speed, especially if I have to leap from an octave as I often have to do in Brahms for example. And to add a wide leap on top of that, I just can't do it at fast tempos or I'm likely to miss my target by going either too far or not far enough.

[@SonataSecrets]

Yes, it's a special kind of technique that's needed in the big romantic repertoire, not so much in classical. It's all about making sure the hand knows its destinations (both up and then back), and then speed will come slowly with practice.

[@john_demartini]

During the stormy section are the interior voice eighth notes in the right hand tied or slurred?

[@SonataSecrets]

hehe I see what you mean! It's another difference in editions, the one I use in the video has ties, but I play from a physical score of Henle which has not ties at all, that's why I repeat them. I notices two differences in the melody and I mentioned them in the description, but I hadn't seen this one so thank you. There's definitely a case to be made for ties...

[@john_demartini]

@@SonataSecrets oh I’m so sorry I didn’t catch your note about the different editions! That would clearly explain it. I’m very used to hearing the tied 8th version but I have to admit I found the untied version rather exciting! I imagine it’s slightly more difficult to play, too

[@john_demartini]

@@SonataSecrets wonderful video as always! ☺️

[@TakakoShimada-tl5sk]

Thank you for your wonderful performance. I also play a Ronisch uplight piano (serial number69889 in the early 1920s).This piano looks very similar to my piano.(Although my piano has not overhauled) I will do my best to get closer to such a fantastic and poetic performance and tone.

[@SonataSecrets]

Oh yeah! Mine is 69377 so not much time between! I bought this second hand in a store 4 years ago, think it had been standing quite peacefully for a long time, and they fixed it up to a good standard at the store.

[@sage4nowty129]

Yes I agree. This is a very challenging nocturne with the chromatic notes, the rhythmic challenge and elaborate ornamentation.

[@omricohen111]

I held my breath, so beautiful 13:10

[@wonderlasting]

What microphones do you have there?

[@SonataSecrets]

These! www.amazon.com/shop/sonatasecrets/list/2PHA5597VVEP9

[@lumi4467]

Love the piano 😉

[@aranjenkins2627]

The Nocturne Op 9 No. 3 in B is one of my favorite pieces! ❤

[@Jenclazz]

You are brilliant like like love

[@rinztv3603]

I have question how can l play the sheet music faster?

[@SonataSecrets]

move your hands faster

[@giraffebatman9924]

Hi! I really like your videos :) I would like to hear your thoughts on Scumann's Piano concerto, just a video suggestion~ :)

[@SonataSecrets]

Thanks for the suggestion. If I ever do piano concertos, Schumann is on the list.

[@LavaMLG]

One of my favorite nocturnes!

[@ethanbrowncomposer]

Wonderful!

[@leoserna5961]

Thank You very much

[@scottelbourne5866]

Mate I thought enjoyed this - thank you.

[@baduk5707]

ahhh i learn this right now and damm it is hard ! ! !

[@SonataSecrets]

hang in there!

[@baduk5707]

@@SonataSecrets I hope I will ... There's a lot of double sharp and it's very complicated ... it's very frustrating to try to figure it out: (( By the way, I'm obsessed with your nocturne's analysis! very interesting...:)

[@SonataSecrets]

Tha sharps are tedious to read at first but when you know the notes that will get easier. I'm glad you like them :)

[@baduk5707]

@@SonataSecrets thank ya!

[@josantonioalcantara]

Thank you very much for this video. It made me change my mind on not learning this piece to complete the Op 9 set of nocturnes. I used to find this nocturne very dull because it is very repetitive, just as the No 1. But just as that one and thanks to your great insights, now I have a better understanding on the purpose and direction of those repetitions and what you could musically build with those.

[@SonataSecrets]

I'm pleased to hear that! I remember the feeling of repetitiveness as well, but as with other great works, the more you invest the more nuances you see and this one definitely keeps interesting enough. Just be patient with learning it ;)

[@unebellepatience1197]

@@SonataSecrets i love this advice! I always like to watch your analysis videos for any new piece i am learning but can't seem to find one for op 9. no. 1, have you done this yet or am i being silly not finding it? :)

[@SonataSecrets]

Finally done Nocturne Op. 9 no. 1 now! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGbWgJ-Nhd50rMk

[@kliberalsing]

"Don't try this Nocturne at home!" Perfect title, especially when followed by such a well-made tutorial and clever analysis....

[@jchurchjr]

BRAVO!

[@GeorgiosFiladelfefs]

Thank you for the information. I think is written exactly in the score. And you may leave the pedal sometimes!

[@grassgrees6728]

can i please request Chopin Ballade number 2? haha i feel its violent, but it has so much hidden gems inside ahhahha. thank you human!!!

[@timsheffield7464]

I love you’re videos. Any chance you teach?

[@SonataSecrets]

I don't teach right now, too busy with other work! (including this)

[@matswessling6600]

seens he plays the rythms in the right hand wrong in the "B" section... ignoring the ties... or am I wrong?

[@ws7215]

I'm learning the agitato part. any advice?

[@mrgreen916]

Play the left hand over and over and over again. Play it because you love it. Play it until you love it. Don't rush it. Got it automatic? Add the RH melody. Don't add the RH internal syncopations yet. Get it integrated. Then automatic. Now take away LH and add the syncopated line, so full RH. Get this down cold. Ready? Add them together. Real slow and careful. Slower. It's hard. Keep going. Do the LH another 1000 times til you don't even realise you're doing it. So your confused brain can focus on the RH syncopated line. Now it can all start to happen at the same time. Wow you're doing it!

[@spavle2443]

Love your analysis videos, please make a video on Chopin waltz op 69 no 1

[@天行健-y9r]

How would you compare this to Op.9 no.1? Which one is more technical demanding?

[@SonataSecrets]

This one is definitely more challenging! No. 1 is not that difficult generally, mostly a few melodic runs in RH with an uneven number of notes, but then LH is very manageable.

[@天行健-y9r]

@@SonataSecrets Thanks for your reply. This no.3 deserve more popularity as well, its beautiful melody just second to none among the three.

[@Jenclazz]

Bedankt

[@SonataSecrets]

Thank you do much! :)

[@damianoskarakasidis3343]

Keep up the good work! Can you do the op 48 no 2 please?

[@stevehinnenkamp5625]

Don't forget Chopin thought B major the most comfortable scale for the human hands. It is documented.

[@TheYangarang]

14:30

[@jenskluge7188]

Why not? I would also like to play this in public but why not also at home, just for private enjoyment. Its so amusing and satisfying after all.

[@ivan-qp4mi]

I'll reiterate - Op. 9 No. 3 makes Op 9 No. 1 and 2 look like child's play!

[@jessevallejo8797]

Darn those pesky quintuplets! Darn them all to to hades!

[@mikehughes6582]

Thanks for the warning; I'll definitely not try this nocturne at home; way beyond my capabilities. You make it look easy though.

[@joshuadellinger8279]

I recently saw a video of Op.9 No.2 in Eb but played upside down. Actually sounds pretty cool and I'd honestly love to hear you analyze it, lol

[@peter5.056]

Yeah....this is in my estimation, the most difficult Nocturne that Chopin wrote.

[@mogret7451]

Är du från Sverige? :)

[@SonataSecrets]

Det är jag!

[@jenilsonferraz4154]

👏👏👏

[@risiaconfessordeaguiardoam9592]

❤👏👏

[@vietus1040]

Don't try this Nocturne at home! (Chopin, Op. 9 no. 3 in B major) - Analysis. Interesting and engaging video. I support your video. Watched the video on May 05, 2022 rat like. Thank you so much

[@baduk5707]

Does anyone know why Arthur Rubinstein did not write any piece of his own ??

[@Chris-zi1we]

Learning this piece gave me trauma

[@Valheurbia]

Sorry what? Ornamentation what??

[@box1702]

WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

[@grzegorzkoslacz3859]

Don't try.. just play.

[@sparklingwiggle]

3:15 ☺