- A nocturne is a musical composition that is inspired by, or evocative of, the night.
- The form originated with the Irish composer John Field, who published the first set of nocturnes in 1814, and reached its zenith in the 19 examples of Frédéric Chopin. In Germany the nocturne, or Nachtstück, attracted composers from Robert Schumann to Paul Hindemith (Suite for Piano, 1922).
- Chopin wrote this particular nocturne at the age of 20! Nocturne Opus 9, No. 2 has a time signature of 12/8 meaning that there are 12 quaver beats per bar. The nocturne opens with a legato melody
etude
- An étude or study is an instrumental musical composition, usually short, designed to provide practice material for perfecting a particular musical skill. The tradition of writing études emerged in the early 19th century with the rapidly growing popularity of the piano
- Frédéric Chopin elevated the student study into a work of great artistry and poetry, turning humble exercises into glittering concert pieces, and his Op. 10 and 25 Études remain amongst the most popular works written for piano, regularly recorded and performed in concert.
- étude, (French: “study”) in music, originally a study or technical exercise, later a complete and musically intelligible composition exploring a particular technical problem in an esthetically satisfying manner.
polonaise
- The polonaise is a dance of Polish origin, in time. Its name is French for "Polish". The polonaise has a rhythm quite close to that of the Swedish semiquaver or sixteenth-note polska, and the two dances have a common origin. The polonaise is a widespread dance in carnival parties.
- Heroic Polonaise, byname of Polonaise in A-flat Major, Op. 53, solo piano piece by Polish French composer Frédéric Chopin, known and nicknamed for its forthright “heroic” character, cast rhythmically as a polonaise—a Polish court dance in waltz time.
romantic period
The Romantic period started around 1830 and ended around 1900, as compositions became increasingly expressive and inventive. Expansive symphonies, virtuosic piano music, dramatic operas, and passionate songs took inspiration from art and literature.
Answers & Comments
nocturne, etude,
and polonaise
nocturne
- A nocturne is a musical composition that is inspired by, or evocative of, the night.
- The form originated with the Irish composer John Field, who published the first set of nocturnes in 1814, and reached its zenith in the 19 examples of Frédéric Chopin. In Germany the nocturne, or Nachtstück, attracted composers from Robert Schumann to Paul Hindemith (Suite for Piano, 1922).
- Chopin wrote this particular nocturne at the age of 20! Nocturne Opus 9, No. 2 has a time signature of 12/8 meaning that there are 12 quaver beats per bar. The nocturne opens with a legato melody
etude
- An étude or study is an instrumental musical composition, usually short, designed to provide practice material for perfecting a particular musical skill. The tradition of writing études emerged in the early 19th century with the rapidly growing popularity of the piano
- Frédéric Chopin elevated the student study into a work of great artistry and poetry, turning humble exercises into glittering concert pieces, and his Op. 10 and 25 Études remain amongst the most popular works written for piano, regularly recorded and performed in concert.
- étude, (French: “study”) in music, originally a study or technical exercise, later a complete and musically intelligible composition exploring a particular technical problem in an esthetically satisfying manner.
polonaise
- The polonaise is a dance of Polish origin, in time. Its name is French for "Polish". The polonaise has a rhythm quite close to that of the Swedish semiquaver or sixteenth-note polska, and the two dances have a common origin. The polonaise is a widespread dance in carnival parties.
- Heroic Polonaise, byname of Polonaise in A-flat Major, Op. 53, solo piano piece by Polish French composer Frédéric Chopin, known and nicknamed for its forthright “heroic” character, cast rhythmically as a polonaise—a Polish court dance in waltz time.
romantic period
The Romantic period started around 1830 and ended around 1900, as compositions became increasingly expressive and inventive. Expansive symphonies, virtuosic piano music, dramatic operas, and passionate songs took inspiration from art and literature.