Classical Music | Piano Music

Recorded on 11/08/2005, uploaded on 01/10/2009

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Chopin composed his second of four scherzos for the piano in 1837. It begins with a short motif based around the notes of the B-flat minor triad ending questioningly on its fifth. Colossal fortissimo chords then sound in resounding response. This introductory passage, vacillating between the keys of B-flat minor, D-flat major and F minor, and ending in the latter, breaks off in anticipation of the arrival of the scherzo’s main theme. Establishing firmly the key of D-flat major as the prevailing tonic, elegant passagework leads to the Scherzo’s beautiful con anima melody. The melody gradually unfolds over a lush harmonic accompaniment in the left hand. As is typical of Chopin, the introduction and melody are repeated again with variation.

Following a flourishing close in D-flat major, the trio section shifts to the key of A major. For this reason, it is better to consider D-flat major, instead of B-flat minor, as the key of the Scherzo. In sharp contrast, the trio begins with sostenuto chords with the faint reminiscent sounds of the Scherzo’s melody hidden within. A somber tune in F-sharp minor follows the sustained opening and becomes the centerpiece of the trio. The triplet flourishes that underlie this theme eventually lead the music to a beautiful and graceful passage of arpeggios over a descending bass line in E major. Like the scherzo, the trio is also repeated and upon its close leads into a transitory passage, built upon the prior F-sharp minor tune, and soon the return of the Scherzo. At the conclusion of the scherzo’s reprise, a sudden change back into A major for eight measures signals the arrival of the coda. Energetic and placing several of the scherzo’s motivic ideas in close proximity, the coda brings the scherzo to an exciting close.     Joseph DuBose

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Scherzo No. 2 in b-flat minor. Op. 31           Frédéric Chopin

The Scherzo No. 2, op.31 is undoubtedly one of Chopin's most popular works.  The first section starts with repeated triplets in pianissimo which later appear in the middle section in a different motive and create a feeling of anticipation of forthcoming drama.  The triplets are answered by bravura chords in the upper register leading into the second theme which brings one of the most beautiful and joyful melodies Chopin ever wrote.  The middle section starts with a recitative, leading to an intimate and haunting melody.  Out of this intimate moment, the theme gradually evolves into a powerful drama with octaves in upper and lower registers being opposed by the triplets in the middle voices. The conflict comes to its climax at the end of the middle section, finishing with a sinister pianissimo in the lower register.  The next section resembles the first with Chopin preserving the original A-B-A structure and the piece finishes with a brilliant and bravura coda.     Elena Baksht

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.