The Nocturnes, Op. 32 is a set of two nocturnes for solo piano written and published by Frédéric Chopin in 1837. The nocturnes are dedicated to Madame Camile de Billing, and were his ninth and tenth nocturnes published.
Nocturne in B major, Op. 32, No. 1
The Nocturne in A-flat major is initially marked as lento and in 4/4 meter. It is structured in an A-B-B′-A′ format and features a melodic and bright main melodic theme in the A section, with a turbulent and dramatic theme in the B sections. In measure 27, the A section transitions into the B section, as the meter switches to 12/8 and the key to F minor (the relative minor of A♭ major). This initial transition is performed over a C dominant seventh chord, which is not totally foreign to A♭ and yet pushes strongly away towards the F minor B section. James Huneker found the F-minor section to "[broaden] out to dramatic reaches" though he still viewed the overall piece negatively. After a tumultuous set of chromatically descending octaves at the end of the B section, the key changes to F♯ minor in measure 39 and returns to A♭ major at measure 51, where the meter also returns to 4/4. The tempo returns to lento in measure 73. The piece has a total of 74 measures and is in ternary form.
Though he thought the piece contained a "long, gracious melody with a balletic middle section," Dubal found the nocturne to be "less important than other members of this species" like the Nocturne in B major. Blair Johnson found that "like the previous nocturne, simplicity of gesture is of the utmost importance throughout the opening section". However, it differs due to the "stormier, more chromatic middle section". The repetition of the beginning has been "infected by the agitated atmosphere of the nocturne's center," and causes "the reprise some time to recapture the gentleness that is its rightful tone," according to Johnson. Friskin found that "the middle section offers good practice in the maintenance of a melodic line in the outer fingers while playing supporting chords in the same hand."
The nocturne is among the works of Chopin orchestrated in the ballet Les Sylphides.
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