The Art of Piano Performance

One of Chopin's most priceless performance remarks is at the beginning of this Nocturne - "sotto voce". Just like that: not a girlish "piano,” not an ambivalent "mezzo forte,” not even meaty forte (the last thing you want here is an "opera" voice for this melody). It effectively bars all over-the-top cheap and showy "expressive emotions" - no eye rolling allowed, no hair flailing, no hands flying, no sobs, no visible tears... A musical equivalent of the famed British "keeping a stiff upper lip"- this "sotto voce" gives us the right sense of what this piece is about. Just as Chopin's 2nd sonata, this nocturne deals directly and openly with such tragic subjects as death, loss and grief... except, here you are allowed to leave personal comments... This Nocturne is a commentary - or an epitaph... If you ever visit La Madeleine in Paris (Chopin's parish church where his funeral was held on October 30th, 1849) think about this Nocturne, okay?

Bach is an astronomer, discovering the most marvellous stars. Beethoven challenges the universe. I only try to express the soul and the heart of man.

Chopin was a genius of universal appeal. His music conquers the most diverse audiences. When the first notes of Chopin sound through the concert hall there is a happy sigh of recognition. All over the world men and women know his music. They love it. They are moved by it. Yet it is not “Romantic music” in the Byronic sense. It does not tell stories or paint pictures. It is expressive and personal, but still a pure art. Even in this abstract atomic age, where emotion is not fashionable, Chopin endures. His music is the universal language of human communication. When I play Chopin I know I speak directly to the hearts of people!

Bach is an astronomer, discovering the most marvellous stars. Beethoven challenges the universe. I only try to express the soul and the heart of man.