F. Chopin - Scherzo no. 2 in B flat minor Op. 31 - analysis - Greg Niemczuk's lecture.

[@LiquidTurbo]

As an amateur trying to learn this piece, thank you so much for putting it together. Your analysis of the ending was something I had never considered and I’ve heard this piece so many times before this is what makes KZbin great. This is one of Chopin’s greatest pieces in my opinion, and thank you for enhancing my enjoyment of it.

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you! You make me so happy with your words

[@PurrfectPracticePiano]

Dear Greg, I left you a comment about an hour ago, saying that it was a great video. Then I sat down to practice. I have been quite ill for the last few months and have not practiced much because I simply could not find the energy to sit at the piano and play. After watching this video, I am thrilled to tell you that I found my deep love for the piano again. I played through the A and some of the B section, and found playing with a ferocity, sense of mystery and a passion that I thought was no longer within me. Thank you so much!

[@gregniemczuk]

I'm so happy to read this comment!!! You made my day!

[@nicolasgoulet4091]

As an amateur pianist I cannot begin to express how much your channel is an incredible educative possibility and a source of knowledge that would simply not be attainable for many (and also a brilliant display of your artistry). I studied your videos a lot when I learned Chopin's 2nd Sonata and have spent many minutes discussing things learned here in Québec with my piano teacher (and am quite lucky that she is an incredible pianist that fled from the USSR : she ended up Watching a Bunch of your videos on hier own). And a lot of what I learn from your channel I can bring with me when tackling Other composers such as Alkan, a close Friend of Chopin when they both lived in Paris. All this to reiterate my thanks and how inspiring the work you put into your channel is : if you make the effort to put your passion into thoughts and share Them with the world as you do, they are Bound to resonate with others at some point!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you so much for this amazing comment! Yes, you are lucky to have such a fantastic teacher! My best regards to her as well !

[@LisaSartre_Kifa]

I started to study this scherzo and asked myself : “ what it is about? Why scherzo, why so many bars with pauses and what the first phrase of this means”. The next day I opened KZbin and found your video. You gave me so many answers! I watched your video in one breathe👍 Super informative and a lot of rare information. ( especially about charnel house, I haven’t read about it anywhere) Thank you a lot!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you so much! You can find this information in the book written by Jean-Jacques Eigeldinger - Chopin Pianist and Teacher as seen by his pupils. I highly recommend this book!! Good luck with the Scherzo!!!

[@BurningSky9]

Those scherzos are all very close to me. Like the Ballades, the emotional content is all encompassing- from screams of agony to wispers. So vulnerably human... You capture that so authentically in your playing and explanations. Bravo!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you! I appreciate your words!

[@calutron008]

I want to play them all especially no 1 in b minor

[@nibbleniks2320]

I spent the day reading Alfred Cortot's book, "In Search of Chopin" after listening to Piotr Alexewicz on the Chopin Institute recital. Cortot mentions the Scherzo No 2 and to better understand it, I came here, but you sent me first to No. 1 analysis. That was an awakening; your analyses are invaluable. They deepen the experience as you translate Chopin's life and music for us. Actually transports through time in ways that keep unfolding. Your butterfly image is delightful. I can see them all joyful. Thank you.again for taking the time to share all of this with us.

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you so much for this comment!!!!

[@richardyu4881]

Another outstanding lecture, you pointed out so many things that I surely must listen to this many more times. Now, I can’t help thinking about you every time I listen to Chopin

[@gregniemczuk]

Is it a obsession? Hahaha, at least a good one!

[@rothschildianum]

I will never fall a sleep watching your video... Very energetic but not annoying...and more importantly is very informative.

[@gregniemczuk]

Thanks!

[@LouisYungling]

wow, thank you so much for your generous teaching, discussion and playing. I loved every minute of this video. And even you said at the end how much you love this piece…it was obvious from the first few minutes of the video that this is true. Absolutely lovely experience and I learned much that I will treasure for a very long time. Thank you.

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you so much for the comment

[@chairton]

I recently discovered your channel and I am absolutely impressed with how you have explained Chopin's pieces in terms of their poetic and theatrical qualities with such depth and passion. I have come to appreciate and obsess over Chopin's genius even more through these brilliante lectures; they shall keep me very busy with all the binge watching...

[@arturtelega627]

I could watching this 1M times no problem 😍

[@ΜιλτιάδηςΒιτσικουνάκης]

Playing Scherzo op 31, no 2, mainly means "playing" the pauses! In my opinion, this is the key to an impeccable performance of the piece. All the other demands are, more or less, common to all unrepeatable masterpieces, composed by Chopin! Maestro Niemczuk, beyond your explicit and detailed analysis of the piece, your playing in front of an audience of this divine music, is and will remain a reference !!! I thank you so much from the bottom of my heart !!!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you so much for watching and for these words!

[@2000nurek]

must be the best explanation what this scherzo is about ... Mr. Chopin would be proud :). dziekuje

[@andrecirillo]

OMG this analysis just blew my mind. You're incredibly amazing Greg!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you so much! Share it if you like!

[@wellingtonmendes9006]

Very grateful for bringing clarifications about this work, which has always intrigued me deeply. Bridge's second theme has always seemed to me to be something delightfully bohemian - in a hedonistic sense of the term, perhaps because something in Brazilian popular songs bears a certain resemblance. What your analysis says about this moment and its cantabile nature makes me feel that I could be right. The left hand also brings a swing that reminds me of Brazilian piano music by old popular composers. But it is also possible that Chopin influenced them. These analyses and demonstrations bring me real happiness. Thank you very much.

[@gregniemczuk]

Thanks for this comment!

[@오도-s1q]

이렇게 값진 강의를 볼 수 있게 해주셔서 감사드립니다. 피아노 뿐만 아니라 음악에 대한 이해와 많은 감정, 생각을 배우게 됩니다. 존경스럽고 감사드립니다.

[@gregniemczuk]

많은 시청과 댓글 감사합니다!!!

[@minae1960]

Hello again, another breathtaking experience, not only from your tutorial but also from your performance in Beijing. How lucky you are to have the ability to converse with people all around the globe with not only your perfect English & polish , (I am sure you speak French & Italian too) ,but with the language of music, explaining what was going on in the mind of a 26 years old genius , Chopin, 2 centuries ago. What a gift. I admire you more for sharing your research, knowledge and experience with others. Making them better listeners, better musicians, and above all better human beings, because it is through music that we can bring goodness to this world without any particular opinion or orientation. Love your work and will follow you all over the world from my home, watching your valuable videos. This is pure magic. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you do much, deeply from my heart! Yes, I understand Italian and French but don't speak fluently. But I also speak Spanish and some Portuguese. I love Chopin and it is enough to share it with all who are interested!

[@arturtelega627]

Never boring! I'm waching this like 50 times lol

[@yopiano1071]

Very beautiful message, thank you

[@jonapilas]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@fromhl7619]

Maravilloso análisis Greg. Esta se ha convertido en mi pieza favorita de Chopin después de la primera balada. He empezado a aprender esta obra maestra, y ya me he encontrado algunas dificultades. La segunda melodia es muy rapida 🫠, corcheas negras en presto para la mano izquierda, tiene muchas teclas negras y hay que usar mucho la muñeca. Y lo que has explicado sobre cómo se debe tocar es otro grado de dificultad. Realmente sí suena terrible cuando se toca como pone en la partitura. Me encanta todo sobre esta obra pero sobre todo la Coda, creo que es la mejor entre todas las que he oído. Espero que te estén yendo muy bien tus proyectos y te mando un fuerte abrazo.

[@user-hu3iy9gz5j]

The sense that this piece is deemed overplayed probably has to do with how striking and catchy the themes are. The musical ideas forces themself upon you and keeps you mentally engaged throughout the listening experience as you try to follow along every segment in your head

[@arturtelega627]

I just can't express myself enough! Wow! Genius!

[@misterteatime1840]

Another wonderful video - thank you. I can't wait for your take on Op. 49

[@gregniemczuk]

It's scheduled for September! I'm still learning this masterpiece... It's so demanding!

[@name8924]

Love ya. Your all analysis videos are masterpieces

[@gregniemczuk]

Thanks!

[@emmettforrestel1071]

You are awesome. Thank you

[@arturtelega627]

Absolutely love it! Wspaniała robota!

[@harunotter9905]

you‘re great! Looking forward to hear your performance in zurich😊

[@gregniemczuk]

Thanks! And I'm looking forward to performing there!

[@lucascury2003]

awesome video as always

[@erickschwartinsky9746]

I love watching your videos, its very motivating ❤ i love how you talk about the music!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you Eric!

[@steffenbucher4243]

The left hand Motive you show on 43:33 and on 43:43 you also find at the end of ballade no. 1. My biggest compliments for your fantastic videos. It is not only your technical expertise, but also your enthusiasm. Chopin was the greatest composer of all for the piano, but one shouldn‘t forget Rachmaninov too.

[@gregniemczuk]

I'm just listening to Rachmaninov 2 pianos suite right now!!! Thank you for this comment!

[@francescpousbergada6795]

Greg, thanks for all your analysis, for your passion and love for chopin. I recently discovered your chanel and I am watching all like a netflix serie. I still missing some pieces like polonaise “adieu”, please keep going as this is an excellent work!!!!

[@gregniemczuk]

Yes I know! I shall make the missing pieces in the close future!

[@AtlasRaider]

The middle of the nocturne op 55 no 1 uses the same chord progression as the begining of this Scherzo. Great videos!

[@alexandrenunes7513]

Great! Marvelous

[@lucynazbikowska3343]

Moje ukochane scherzo i to wykonanie!

[@arturtelega627]

Absolutely love it! 💙💙💙

[@sankyasrinivasan3385]

I'm doing a presentation on this piece. This is really useful information. Great analysis.

[@gregniemczuk]

Superb!!! Enjoy and use it as much as you want!

[@PurrfectPracticePiano]

Fascinating video!

[@nathanmancarella5355]

Fantastic video as always! These series are absolutely fantastic and give great insight into the life and music of Chopin. Thank you so very much for uploading them and for the great time and effort you put into each video!! Congratulations and hats off to you for all your hard work and effort, your passion and love for this music really shows! May I ask, will you be covering all of the music Chopin wrote? Including lesser known pieces such as the A minor fuge, Variations on "Là ci darem la mano", other variations, cello sonata ect?

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you for your comment! This year's project title is: All Chopin's works for solo piano published during his life. That means only solo pieces with opus number up to 64. Variations La ci darem la mano is a piece written for piano with orchestra, so it's not included. But maybe in 2022 I'll enrich this series and make videos about other pieces as well!

[@nathanmancarella5355]

Wonderful to hear, all the best! And thank you again ☺️

[@中島百合子-g6o]

👏👏👏bravo ! Greg 💐 I ‘m thinking no.2 Scherza is for young boys . Middle part is so beautiful! Thank you for telling me. I’ll try to play this piece again!

[@noehuang6305]

i like your playing

[@raphaelboisard9214]

Wow, amazing analysis! Thank you so much for this, it's very interesting.

[@gregniemczuk]

Thanks for watching!! There are more than 150 other Analyses like this to watch 😀

[@raphaelboisard9214]

Great, I'll watch them when I'll have the time... i say it one more time, amazing analysis!

[@gregniemczuk]

@@raphaelboisard9214 thank you so much!

[@arturtelega627]

Such a liteness wow!

[@arturtelega627]

Wow! Without pedal? Amazing!

[@arturtelega627]

This is Artur here from Australia all the way ok lol

[@liviane109]

great video as always. You teaches us even more than our teacher at school =))) Can you maybe do a small tutorial on the Etude Op 25 No.12, especially how to move/play/practice correctly. My arm gets tense after first half T____T. I know it shouldn't be like that and i'm doing something wrong. I did some research and some said there should be rotation movement in between, the others said no, dont do it, you should jump/release from position to position. I'm not professional pianist, i just love this etude so much! Send you Bigg Icee Creamm from Germany with love!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thanks so much for your message! Please, write me an email on [e-mail], I'll try to help you with this etude.

[@kenyang687]

35:38 the left hand is very similar to Lacrimosa in K626.

[@NikitaVolobuevPiano]

Thank you! Your channel is a treasure! So delicate, professional, original and clear! And so sincere in sharing your love! How do you think, doesn't that Scherzo resemble some scenes from Faust? It's doesn't seem to be an original point of view (everyone was obsessed at that time with Faust, "La Peau de Chagrin" was published few years before Scherzo no.2 and could also refresh that interest), but I haven't met in special literature examples of such associations. Part A would be then something like dialogue between Faust and Mephistopheles, when Mephistopheles demonstrates to Faust a vision of divine beauty. Bridge includes Mephistopheles' laughing ("I can bring you everything"). Part B is the scene of Margharita's efforts of praying, but she cannot pray, because she's obsessed by longing ("Meine Ruh ist hin"). The beginning of climax is an appearance of Faust ("Here he is!"), and then we have a literal fall of Margharita. The descending octave scales in the bass line are realy all the circles of hell!)) Everything ends with Mephisto laughing "hahaha" in coda and that's why it is the scherzo. Of course Chopin probably did not have a concrete faustian idea here. Nevertheless, Chopin does a real symphonic work, showing how two opposite melodic images - desperate question about the fate (compare beginning of Liszt's Sonata) and silent prayer (calm and symmethrical melody) at first are shown separatedly, then begin to struggle and finally find their intimate similarity. (All this served between infernal whirlwinds - the 3rd image of the eternal trio "Faust-Margharita-Mephistophele"). Through the processes of intonation Chopin shows how heaven tends towards the hell and hell tends towards heaven in human souls.

[@gregniemczuk]

Wow!!! So interesting!

[@xevivr]

Want to know from u which ending among all scherzo is best in ur opinion , btw nice analysis and ur dedication is hats off

[@gregniemczuk]

No.4!

[@arturtelega627]

Hahaha the left hand without pedal is just mind blowing lol

[@BurningSky9]

Actually, in Romanian we have the word 'jale' which may be a good equivalent of that Polish word.

[@kerstinl8519]

Hi Greg! Have watched your video the third time and I am again on this Scherzo. Fighting with the tempo - have one bar about 85. But part B - there is nothing written to slow down. What tempo you would recommend? LG Kerstin

[@gregniemczuk]

It's a bit question and problem. But it says sostenuto right?

[@kerstinl8519]

@@gregniemczuk Yes, that’s true. Anyway - for me the tempo changes a little here and there. And also the coda can speeded up to this grandiose final accord. That’s my piece. This year I‘ll get it. Thanks for your help. 🙋‍♀️

[@gregniemczuk]

@@kerstinl8519 I agree with you!

[@jonathan130]

what do you think of jazz

[@gregniemczuk]

I love jazz!!! But I only listen, I don't play it

[@ToddEB]

What year was this masterpiece written?

[@LiquidTurbo]

He says in the intro.

[@arturtelega627]

How can I get all those books you have Herr please ?

[@Mimikinm]

I wish longer lecture. I can watch 2 hour long video lol

[@gregniemczuk]

Hahahahaj

[@calutron008]

i am blind and i want to get the braille music for the foursczerzos can anyone tell me where to get the braille music? i am in ausralia please reply if you can help me thanks

[@militaryandemergencyservic3286]

hi! I do a live stream impersonation of 9 pianists at 5 pm GMT today = Hoffman, Rachmaninoff g minor prelude Lisitsa, Rachmaninoff 18th Variation on a theme by Paganini Schiff, Bach Harpsichord concerto no. 5 (II) Richter, Bach Prelude and fugue in c major BWV 846 Giltburg, Chopin Nocturne in c sharp minor Poon, Chopin Waltz in A min op. post Zimerman, Chopin prelude in A major Horowitz, Mazurka in a min op 17. no. 4 Katsaris, Schubert Klavierstuck no. 2

[@arturtelega627]

God!

[@peterbrenton410]

At 50 mins he repeats the first motif in bar 578 and says there are no changes .But in my score there is a much longer F the second time which is repeated 3times to bar 619 😮Why did Chopin do this please?

[@gregniemczuk]

Yes! That's because he wanted to create more tension and make it different than before

[@JasonScozzari]

how do you spell 'gial'??

[@gregniemczuk]

Żal

[@fruitlesslove1416]

marvelous! What is the word zhal you say at 3:26? Did I suddenly wake up? I really want to know!It means regret in Ukrainian, right?

[@bluepearl4806]

Thank you thank you soo much for you beautiful briliant so valuable explanations!!!!🙏🙏🙏🙏💐💐💐💐💐And you also play soo beautifuly bravo👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💐💐💐💐💐💐🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺Chopin is genious and he is my best of best composer!!!! But I dont think Chopin compose his pieces only mathematicaly thinking...but such a genious interpret all life and feelings with notes and motives...he experinced that all beauties may turn into huge disasters.. good thinks can be treetened by wars..by death.. there is adeath bur also peace and happines too....life is a big strugle in which beautiful happy things meeged time ti time...I feel myself that composers tell us about life in their pieces...like a good movie tells us a real life story. or tragedy...Composers does this with notes motives structures...yes genuin..but for them..this is so natural..like words. It was so delightful to watch and listen to your video thank you so much again!!!!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you for watching! Yes, I understand your point and I think J agree!

[@bluepearl4806]

@@gregniemczuk Thank you very much🙏💕💐🍀🌺

[@jackdumler479]

Can you do an analysis of Rondo a la Mazur Op. 5? It’s my favorite Chopin piece!

[@gregniemczuk]

That's a piece for piano and orchestra. This year probably it will not be possible as I'm doing a project about all Chopin's pieces for solo piano, but I'll try in 2022!!!

[@briancoveney3080]

The word may be "spontaneity" unexpected - ly from "spon-tanious...

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you Brian!

[@chopinfanclub6672]

I’ve done something horrible oh god oh god

[@lucascury2003]

do you pretend to analyse the nocturnes?

[@gregniemczuk]

Yes of course. Starting in July!