Piano Sonata No. 2 (Chopin)

Lore & Background

The Piano Sonata No. 2 was written during a period when the sonata form had lost its overpowering dominance. The third movement is Chopin's famous funeral march, composed at least two years before the rest of the sonata. The sonata comprises four movements: a Grave–Doppio movimento first movement in modified sonata form, a scherzo in E♭ minor, the funeral march, and a short finale. The work carries allusions to music by J. S. Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven; Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 12 also has a funeral march as its third movement. A typical performance lasts between 21 and 25 minutes, depending on whether the repetition of the first movement's exposition is observed. Critical reception was initially doubtful, with Robert Schumann arguing the work was structurally inferior and that Chopin 'could not quite handle sonata form,' a criticism that did not withstand time. The sonata gained instant popularity with the public and has been recorded by numerous pianists. The Marche funèbre has been performed at funerals all over the world, including Chopin's own, and exists in countless arrangements.

Reader's Guide

The Piano Sonata No. 2 in B♭ minor, Op. 35, is a cornerstone of the piano repertoire, notable for its integration of the famous funeral march as its third movement. The work's initial critical skepticism, particularly from Robert Schumann, has been overtaken by its enduring popularity and frequent programming in concerts and piano competitions. The sonata's first movement presents a textual ambiguity regarding the repeat of the exposition: the London and Paris first editions indicate the repeat from the Grave, while the Leipzig edition begins the repeat at the Doppio movimento. Most 20th-century editions follow the Leipzig model, but some pianists and scholars argue this is musically incorrect. The sonata's legacy is further cemented by the Marche funèbre, which has become an archetypal evocation of death and is widely arranged and performed at funerals globally.

Did You Know?

• The third movement, the Marche funèbre, was composed at least two years before the rest of the sonata.
• The work carries allusions to music by J. S. Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven.
• Robert Schumann initially criticized the sonata, arguing Chopin 'could not quite handle sonata form.'
• The Marche funèbre has been performed at funerals all over the world, including Chopin's own.