Symphony Atlas

Scherzo No. 4 in E major, Op. 54

184311 min

This guide follows Chopin’s Scherzo No. 4 in E major, Op. 54 (1843) in one part (sonata form).

Recording: Daniil Trifonov (piano) (2010)

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Follow all 5 sections as they play

Sonata form0:02–10:55

The first section (A) opens in E major with soft chords answered by quick, arching runs, and a leisurely melody alternates with fast passages that sound like laughter. The (B) begins in C-sharp minor, with a speech-like and then a singing melody that climbs through a wide range. Then the builds tension over a double . The in the (A′), passing through repeated modulations. The breaks the into powerful octaves and ends with rapid scales.

  1. A
  2. B /

Section boundaries in music are not always sharp; a transition may be felt over a pause or a held chord.

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In the catalog

Frédéric ChopinPianoRomantic periodE majorSonata form

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