Fryderyk Chopin – Cello Sonata in G minor

Chopin wrote his Sonata for cello and piano in 1845, dedicating it to his friend, cellist Auguste Franchomme. A unique work for Chopin: among the few chamber works of the composer, this is the only one that belongs to the mature period. During this time, Chopin reveals the most pioneering and experimental aspect of his music.

Structure

The piece is structured in four movements:

• Allegro Moderato: a determined theme in G minor contrasts with a second theme in G major that is more delicate and sweet. The dialogue between cello is intense: the piano part is dense, and the cello struggles to gain the right prominence. The harmonies are very complex, and foreshadow impressionistic sonorities.
• Scherzo – Allegro con brio: a rhythmic theme with numerous variations. Notably, the Trio, in which the cello part predominates distinctly over the piano part.
• Largo: in 27 measures Chopin creates an atmosphere similar to a Nocturne, with a nostalgic dialogue between piano and cello.
• Finale – Allegro: it returns to the vigor of the first movement, with complex and sometimes unpredictable passages. In the central part, a noteworthy counterpoint characterizes the development of the theme. The theme is taken from an incomplete Canon in F, which here returns in the form of a canon, alternated between the cello and the piano parts. The Coda concludes the piece in a positive and lavish atmosphere.

Curiosities

Chopin felt uncomfortable writing for an instrument other than the piano. This led him to set aside and later resume composition; it took him a total of two years to complete a version worthy (in his opinion) of being published.

The difficulties that Chopin had to face in writing a piece for an unfamiliar instrument can also be seen in another aspect. On several occasions, he accompanied the cellist Franchomme (to whom the work is dedicated) at his home, for a small audience of trusted friends. This allowed him to gather opinions before the publication of the piece. Something absolutely new for Chopin, who was not used to collecting others’ impressions before publishing a work.

For the first performance of the work, in Paris in 1848, the first movement Allegro Moderato was completely eliminated. This movement was deemed too complex and difficult, and hard to understand both by his friends and by experts. Only the Scherzo, the Largo, and the Finale were performed.

Reaction of the Critics

The Sonata for cello and piano is one of Chopin’s compositions that has never received the right consideration, not even today. Rarely performed in concert settings, from its first performance it was considered too innovative to be understood by the public and critics.

Il Fatto Quotidiano: “Sui social trovi Vasco o anche come farti del male. Scegli in base a ciò che già ti interessa. Se scegli certe cose è per un tessuto emotivo segnato”: parla Francesca Fialdini

Da domenica 17 maggio, in seconda serata su Rai 3, Francesca Fialdini torna con “Fame d’amore”. Le voci di una generazione ferita si alzano con forza e determinazione: sono i giovani che ogni giorno affrontano la battaglia silenziosa dei disturbi del comportamento, portando con sé il peso del dolore ma anche la straordinaria capacità di trovare, nonostante tutto, il coraggio di andare avanti.
Le loro storie di sofferenza e resilienza, diventano oggi testimonianze preziose di una lotta che merita di essere ascoltata, compresa e sostenuta dall’intera società.
“In questo periodo vedo un disagio giovanile che emerge ogni giorno da casi di cronaca spietata. – ha detto la conduttrice a Sette de Il Corriere della Sera – Bisognerebbe approfondire cosa c’è a monte di questi casi di cronaca, una vera emergenza sociale. Ma la tv lo fa malvolentieri”.
E ancora: “Sono i social che creano mostri o i social sono solo un proseguimento di ciò che i giovani coltivano dentro? Io credo che non siano i social che offrono modelli sbagliati, ma nei social i ragazzi trovano conforto su modelli già interiorizzati. Sui social puoi trovare Chopin o Vasco, o anche come farti del male, e tu scegli in base a ciò che già ti interessa. Quando scegli certe cose è perché c’è già un tessuto emotivo segnato”.
L'articolo “Sui social trovi Vasco o anche come farti del male. Scegli in base a ciò che già ti interessa. Se scegli certe cose è per un tessuto emotivo segnato”: parla Francesca Fialdini proviene da Il Fatto Quotidiano.

On social media you find Vasco, or even how to harm yourself. Choose based on what already interests you. If you choose certain things, it’s because of an emotionally marked fabric: speaks Francesca Fialdini.

Starting this Sunday, May 17th, in the late evening on Rai 3, Francesca Fialdini returns with “Fame d’amore” (Hunger for Love). The voices of a generation wounded rise with strength and determination: they are the young people who every day face the silent battle of behavioral disorders, carrying with them the weight of pain but also the extraordinary ability to find, despite everything, the courage to go on.

Their stories of suffering and resilience become today valuable testimonies of a struggle that deserves to be heard, understood, and supported by the entire society.

“In this period, I see a youthful malaise that emerges every day from cases of ruthless crime. – said the host to Sette de Il Corriere della Sera – One should delve into what lies beneath these criminal cases, a real social emergency. But television rarely does so.”

And still: “Are social media creating monsters or are they simply a continuation of what young people cultivate within themselves? I believe that it is not social media that offer wrong models, but in social media young people find comfort in already internalized models. On social media you can find Chopin or Vasco, or even how to harm yourself, and you choose based on what you already find interesting. When you choose certain things, it's because there's already an emotionally marked fabric.”

The article “On social media you find Vasco or even how to harm yourself. Choose based on what you already find interesting. If you choose certain things is for an emotionally marked fabric” speaks Francesca Fialdini comes from Il Fatto Quotidiano.

#FrancescaFialdini #Famed’amore #HungerforLove #SettedeIlCorriere #Chopin #Vasco #IlFattoQuotidiano

https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2026/05/09/sui-social-trovi-vasco-o-anche-come-farti-del-male-scegli-in-base-a-cio-che-gia-ti-interessa-se-scegli-certe-cose-e-per-un-tessuto-emotivo-segnato-parla-francesca-fialdini/8380717/

Con le #note di #Chopin parte il #Pianofestival ad #Aversa

https://www.larampa.news/2026/05/note-chopin-parte-pianofestival-aversa/

Just finished #reading 'Play It Again' by Alan Rusbridger - a tale of one man’s year long quest to master an insanely difficult #Piano piece, #Chopin Ballade #1. A fascinating glimpse into a rarefied world and an inspiring personal accomplishment, especially for amateur pianists and the science of #learning

My review is posted on #StoryGraph
https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/5226c2c6-dc8b-4ac9-9c84-db9e577e310e

And #GoodReads
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8488901261

#ClassicalMusic #PianoLearning