Favorite Chopin sonata

[virtuoso_735]

Which is your favorite Chopin sonata and why?

My favorite is probably no.2, though I am ambivalent at times between no.2 and no.3, as they are perhaps the greatest of Chopin's works, along with the Ballades, Fantasie in F minor, and the Concerti. The no.2 and 3 have good form, expressive qualities, and unsurpassed virtuosity.

[beethoven]

Since you didn't put no.3, then I voted for no.2. I don't really like no.1, it's a tad wierd.

[virtuoso_735]

Actually could you delete this one since I didn't put no.3

[Amnesia]

There, I added no. 3

[virtuoso_735]

There, I added no. 3

Okay.

Now it's fair.

I can't really decide between no.2 and no.3.

[WinterWind_23]

No.2 is probably the most structurally sound and large. It's so difficult and requires virtuoso technique. I think I like 2 best. 3rd is right after. I haven't heard 1 yet, so I can't comment on that one.

[Amnesia]

I haven't listened to all the sonatas properly, so I can't really chose. I'm sure they're all beautiful though

[Medtner]

I prefer No. 3 because I like the music better and the sonata structure is a lot more solid than that of Nos. 1 and 2.

[WinterWind_23]

I prefer No. 3 because I like the music better and the sonata structure is a lot more solid than that of Nos. 1 and 2.

No.2 is much more structurally solid. It's much more tidy then the third. But then it doesn't make it more better, in terms of preference. I enjoy the 2nd and third equally, though 2nd may be greater.

[Jeliness2]

I love no.3. I wish i could play it.

[WinterWind_23]

No.3 is very difficult indeed!

But I'm sure you can play it in the future.

I think no.3 is probably most difficult, or was that 2nd? Not sure.

[Jeliness2]

lol, i wish.

[Philip Daniel]

I prefer No. 3 because I like the music better and the sonata structure is a lot more solid than that of Nos. 1 and 2.

I agree, and furthermore must say that the content of the third sonata is also more exellent than the first two. The first movement is a tour de force of potential contrapuntal development and contains a wealth of memorable themes and harmonic relationships. The second movement contains a section of Chopin's wonderfully original heterophonic polyphony framed by a first section with recapitulation full of virtuosic joy, and is my favorite of his scherzos. The next movement is a beautiful rhapsodical piece recalling Bellini's style of long-limbed melodies and looking forward to both Brahms & Wagner harmonically & contrapuntally. Words cannot come close to describing the pleasure that is the last movement.The third sonata is his most promising piece before the Cello Sonata .

[virtuoso_735]

I always thought the second sonata was "greater". The first movement of the second is more organized and generally more neat; as the third sonata first movement is more rambling and has many more ideas, though not as well organized. The scherzo from the second sonata is greater and larger than the third sonata scherzo. The largo from the third sonata is a masterpiece of Chopin, very emotional, yet abstract and abstruse. The last movements of both are exhilarating. The third sonata finale is larger and more exciting on a whole, but the second sonata finale is like nothing else Chopin wrote before.

[WinterWind_23]

I also thought second was generally considered greatest. It's his masterpiece in sonata form. Though the third is also great, it doesn't compare to the magnitude and power of the 2nd. The 2nd is also much more popular because of the Marche Funebre.