Nocturne in C{{music|sharp}} minor, Op. 27, No. 1
The Nocturne in
C minor, referred to as Nocturne No. 7 in the context of the
complete set of Chopin's Nocturnes, is initially marked
larghetto and is in
meter, written as common time. It transitions to
più mosso (more movement) in measure 29, along with a time signature change to meter. The piece returns to its original tempo and meter in measure 84, and ends in an
adagio beginning in measure 99. The piece is 101 measures long and written in
ternary form with
coda; the primary theme is introduced, followed by a secondary theme and a repetition of the first. The opening alternates between
major and minor and uses wide
arpeggios, commonly found in other nocturnes as well, in the left hand; such arpeggios require a wide left hand to play smoothly.
James Huneker commented that the piece is "a masterpiece", pointing to the "morbid, persistent melody" of the left hand. Huneker also likens the
più mosso to a work by
Beethoven due to the agitated nature of this section. The coda "reminds the listener of Chopin's seemingly inexhaustible prodigality" according to Dubal while Huneker calls it a "surprising climax followed by sunshine" before returning to the opening theme.
In theatre The first duet of the ballet
In the Night by
Jerome Robbins (1970) was choreographed to this piece.
Excerpts image:Chopin nocturne op27 1b.png|The second theme of No. 1 in C minor image:Chopin nocturne op27 1c.png|Modulation to A major == Nocturne in D major, Op. 27, No. 2 ==