Lenten Music Journey Day 5: Chopin Nocturne in E minor

Each Sunday, I will post a link to a video of mine on YouTube that relates to Lent. This week it is Chopin's "Nocturne Op. 72, No. 1 in E minor".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk3H5mQPS6s&feature=youtu.be

I will give you the biography of Chopin later during Lent when I do a piano series. But, for now, he is one of the most famous composers of the Romantic era and lived from 1810-1849. His music is highly influenced by the national music of his homeland Poland mazurkas and polonaises. But, he also has mastered the genre of other types of music such as the nocturne, etude, prelude, and valse (waltz). 

Today's piece is a nocturne published posthumously after Chopin's death. Nocturne literally means night piece. Did you know that Chopin was not the original composer of nocturnes? John Field was known to have come up with this genre. This piece is in the very taxing (emotionally) key of e minor with hints of E major in the conclusion and B major in the development. It ends in Major which can really give us hope that even though these 40 days may seem long there is hope at the end of this season. But, before we get there we should reflect on the pain and suffering that Jesus took upon himself to take away our sins so that we might be forgiven.

Peace.