Music in Performance Sonata No.2 in B flat Minor, Op.35 part 1 - Chopin

A composer writes a piece of music to be played by other individuals or groups in the way he or she has intended. When a piece is being composed, notes are being put on paper but that in itself is a fair distance from creating what is known today as music. A collection of organized notes or pitches can create music that is enjoyable to listen to but it takes an added element to bridge the gap between what is written on a score and what the listener can have an emotional attachment with; and that is interpretation. Fryderyk Chopin’s works have become a staple for those learning to play the piano with firm technique and a strong grasp of the instrument. His pieces are known to stand out for their sheer beauty and sensuality and his ‘Sonata No.2 in B flat Minor, Op.35 part 1 is no exception. The piece begins with a four bar Grave that introduces the style that the rest of the piece is going to hold, with a few chords, the listener can anticipate what may come next. The Doppio Movimento begins with a steady bass-line with upward and downward runs staying constant and holding true to the chord. Right at the beginning of the piece it is evident that Chopin is leaving this section open to interpretation and although could be played exactly the way in which it is written, would, to be put simply, sound better if it was played with a little more feeling. For example if some dynamic contrast or subtle accents are added to the piece it shows that the performer is viewing the section of the piece in a certain way, usually but not always the way in which Chopin had intended. A student studying music history might say that a composer writes a piece of music for it to be played exactly the way they intended; and while yes, this is true, but it is not the way it