Whereas the key characteristic of the first theme is expressed in a terse six eighth notes, the second theme begins as economically with only five, but continues with a long slur that sings across eight measures (the theme begins on the last two measures of the first staff system below). This immediately trades the eighth notes of the first theme for half and quarter notes that help accentuate the melody as it takes longer and longer breaths. Because it contains the exact same eighth note rhythms in each hand as the rest of the theme, the diminished chord harmonies and non-chordal half steps builds a minor tension before the return.Ī quick bridge gets us to D-flat major and the second theme. The transition between the repeats acts notably as a chaotic, chromatic break with the theme proper. The theme trades sparse harmonies-primarily i and vii7-for a constant bombardment of eighth notes. Looking at the exposition section, the first theme is presented with a written repeat, measures 9 through 20 and 25 through 36, and is marked throughout by a prominent yet short rhythmic pattern that is a key component of the bulk of the development. The second theme contains few variations, and the movement ends with the two codas plus a third, more chromatic coda that contains a quote of the first theme and ends in B-flat major. More technical variations on the first theme slowly take over the bulk of the development, resolving with a recapitulation marked by the return of the second theme in B-flat major. The development contains a conversation between the two themes-beginning with the first theme in the bass punctuated by first shorter then more extended passages quoting the second theme in the soprano. The first movement is in the classical minor-key sonata form with a rhythmic first theme in B-flat minor and a more melodic second in its relative major, D-flat. I'm approaching Chopin's second piano sonata in order I'm not jumping around, but I keep aware of what's coming up and where each section fits in the whole.

I've also added some links and cleaned up some passages. I initially labeled this his first piano sonata and completely forgot about the C minor sonata op.

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