Piano Sonata No. 1 (Chopin)

The Piano Sonata No. 1 in C minor, Op. 4 was written by Frédéric Chopin in 1828 (probably begun around July).

Quotes

• It’s a juvenile composition that Chopin himself did not deem worth publishing. I respect his will, even though it does have lovely passages.
  • Paul Badura-Skoda, "Famous Pianists on Frédéric Chopin and Robert Schumann" (2010) by G. Henle Verlag

• There are so many works in the repertoire that are more musically rewarding! The op. 4 sonata has always seemed to me to be a very, very poor specimen; it‘s almost unbelievable that it came from Chopin‘s pen.
  • Marc-André Hamelin, "Famous Pianists on Frédéric Chopin and Robert Schumann" (2010) by G. Henle Verlag

• Chopin’s early piano Sonata, op. 4 has been almost never played in China. This work is Chopin’s very first big structure piano music he ever composed at that moment. I think it was an experimental try for him. Although Chopin is the most popular western “classical” composer in China, nevertheless at this moment, I think, the most important thing for us Chinese is to learn, realize and absorb the essence and spirit of western culture and music but not to take the “complete“.
  • Ming-Qiang Li, "Famous Pianists on Frédéric Chopin and Robert Schumann" (2010) by G. Henle Verlag

• I don’t think I will ever perform Chopin’s first piano sonata; it is not on the same level as the following ones.
  • Christian Zacharias, "Famous Pianists on Frédéric Chopin and Robert Schumann" (2010) by G. Henle Verlag