Chopin Nocturne 2 Analysis

When looking at Nocturnes 2-4 as a whole, the nocturnes represent the struggle that had plagued Poland during that time. They seem to offer a history of the emotions of Polish people during the revolutionary time. Nocturne 2, for example, would represent the past history of Poland. It is very calm throughout, offering very little dissonance or any musical forms that would be used to represent conflict or strife. It follows a very simple three-beat meter, perhaps as a homage to Poland’s history of the Polinaise and Mazurka dance music, both written in triple meter. Nocturne 2 would represent Poland’s peaceful, harmonious period.
Nocturne 3, then, is representative of Poland’s beginning of clash and conflict. It starts off very calm and peaceful, much like Nocturne 2. However, around the 3:18 mark, some dissonance and increased tempo are introduced. This creates a worrisome sound, suggesting that not everything is

There is also less chromaticism than what Chopin would write. Chopin explored his range much more than Field, as his open handed playing allowed him to simply do more with the piano. With the chromaticism, it creates dissonance that pulls strongly to resolve back to the tonic. This is absent in the Field Nocturnes. There is also not as much counterpoint in the Field Nocturnes. I feel that Chopin’s Nocturne No. 2 Op. 9 was greatly influenced by the works of Field. They both contain a similar introduction – a low bass note followed by a quick note in the right hand, and then the introduction of the theme. In addition, both works progress in the same manner. As the pieces move along, they become more complex and build upon what has already been played. They contain some rhythmic independence, and at least in the Chopin Nocturne, the ornamentation has an unfolding feel to it. That allows the melody to continue to move along where it may have started to become almost