Favorite Chopin sonata

[Amnesia]

I really dislike the Funeral March from his second sonata. It is really depressing; probably one of the only pieces by Chopin I don't like listening to..

[WinterWind_23]

I really dislike the Funeral March from his second sonata. It is really depressing; probably one of the only pieces by Chopin I don't like listening to..

You have to concede that it is genius though.

I don't find it somber enough to make me not like it. For the melacholy mood makes me like it more! The central section is so beautiful though. It's the most nostalgic and beautiful sections of Chopin I ever heard, IMO.

[Goldberg]

I really dislike the Funeral March from his second sonata. It is really depressing; probably one of the only pieces by Chopin I don't like listening to..

Do you enjoy only happy music? Or do you think that Funeral Marches should be a little more upbeat and lively?

I, for one, like the first one very much for its really cool sections and, admittedly at times, its quirkiness. I plan to learn this one relatively soon. I also like the 2nd, but have never really cared much for the third, despite popular reasoning about its wonderful music and structure. For me, I'm basing it purely on personal opinion considering the music itself.

[Amnesia]

There are many other melancholic, dramatic and sad pieces of music that I enjoy very much... it's just the funeral march has a haunting feeling that I for some reason dislike. It also becomes a bit boring at times. I would to no extent say that it was a bad piece of music though...

[virtuoso_735]

There are many other melancholic, dramatic and sad pieces of music that I enjoy very much... it's just the funeral march has a haunting feeling that I for some reason dislike. It also becomes a bit boring at times. I would to no extent say that it was a bad piece of music though...

I know what you mean about the Funeral March. It's very sad, very slow and sombre, and somewhat redundant at times. The left hand chords are the mostly the same over and over, and the texture is very thick and low. It gives it a haunting and melancholic quality. The middle is one of the most beautiful things Chopin wrote. It's so beautiful, languid, and evokes a certain nostalgia.

[WinterWind_23]

There are many other melancholic, dramatic and sad pieces of music that I enjoy very much... it's just the funeral march has a haunting feeling that I for some reason dislike. It also becomes a bit boring at times. I would to no extent say that it was a bad piece of music though...

It is not to your taste. But still genius. It's quite sad and haunting, which make you not like it, but I like it for that quality. Gives the mood for a Marche Funebre perfectly.

[Comme_le_Vent]

the 1st is wikid

nuff said

[Flaming Buttocks of Doom]

The first is immature. Not to say that it isn't a work of genius, but even such a man as Chopin needed some time to mature. It has its moments of brilliance but cannot compare with his later two sonatas.

Of these two, it is the second that gets my vote. It's one of the most powerful works written for the piano in my opinion.

[virtuoso_735]

I agree that the first sonata is rather immature and not fully developed. It sure contains a great wealth of ideas but other than that the structure is quite too loose and rambling. It was mainly composed for his teacher, which he wanted to impress.

[WinterWind_23]

I don't think the 1st is best. It was a weak piece that has fallen into oblivion. It was just as an assignment at his school, I believe. Bad structure, and it was not mature Chopin.

[Max]

It's a toughun. The no.1 lacks the innovative structure of the 2 + 3, and lacks melodic development (the finale is pretty bad at the start...).

I picked no.2, just because just like Schumann said, it's like "4 of Chopins maddest children, all under one roof". I think no.3 is really my favourite, but no.2 is much more interesting to listen to.

[WinterWind_23]

I personally enjoy listening to the 2nd sonata more. The finale to the third sonata is probably my favorite movement out of all the sonatas though.

Sonata no.1 doesn't have good form and lacks in ideas. Not representative of Chopin and does not do his reputation any good.

[Scriabinist]

Sonata no.1 doesn't have good form and lacks in ideas. Not representative of Chopin and does not do his reputation any good.

Definitely. This sonata does not show any promise. Chopin should go learn some harmony and counterpoint. I'd rate it a 75.

[Helling]

Sonata no.1 doesn't have good form and lacks in ideas. Not representative of Chopin and does not do his reputation any good.

While I agree to some extent, I think the finale to the first sonata works great for an encore, which I used it for during the middle ages when I played for money.

The best sonata however would be no 2 in my view, despite its odd structure and lack of connection between movements. Actually many musicologists have gone to great lengths in order to show the connection between the movements, but all attempts seem rather awkward and less than succesful.

[aMaDeUs]

for me no.3 is the greatest.