Hyperion Records

The Nocturne in C sharp minor was published in 1875 and was not given the title ‘Nocturne’ by Chopin. He wrote it for his sister Ludwika while in Vienna in 1830, telling her to learn it before she practised his Second Concerto (perhaps a mischievous comment?). It does indeed include several references to that work as well as an echo of his song Zyczenie (‘The Wish’). The section beginning at bar 21 was originally written in two different metres simultaneously, no doubt confusing most people, and he later simplified it. This piece has become very popular with students and amateurs, who struggle to put thirty-five notes in the right hand against four in the left in the final scales – a good starting point for what is to come in the rest of the Nocturnes.

from notes by Angela Hewitt © 2004