Chopin, Piano Sonata No. 3 in B-minor, Op. 58, ii. Scherzo: Molto vivace

Chopin, Piano Sonata No. 3 in B-minor, Op. 58, iii. Largo

The term scherzo Italian is the word for “joke.” It certainly seems appropriate for this movement given the fact that the tempo is marked “Molto vivace” or very lively.   

In playing the movement it is not hard to imagine a room filled with people laughing as they listen to someone telling an amusing story in such a way that candlelight, champagne, and laughter make everything sparkle.

Soon after this introduction however the mood changes to something more clouded and somber, less toccata-like and more serious. This mood change, which seems to disappear as suddenly as it appears, returns us to the original scherzo theme, thus making for a real balancing act for the pianist to smoothly and deftly handle the abrupt changes.

Imagine being an actor who has to laugh brightly one second, and in the next immediately burst into tears. I tend to think a similar demand is made on the pianist in this movement: light and carefree followed immediately by shadowy and pensive, before going back immediately to light.

The change of mood is as compelling as the notes themselves.

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