Chopin's Scherzo No. 1 in B Minor

This is the first of the four scherzos Chopin wrote; Chopin's scherzos are probably the only piano scherzos considered to be serious piano concert-pieces in the full sense of the word.

This scherzo is in ternary form (A-B-A musical form; the scherzo form), as are all his other scherzos. This scherzo begins (A-part of the form) in a really quirky fashion; chords, arpeggios, and scales cause strange sounds and dissonance. The second part (B-section of the ternary form) of the scherzo is melodic and lyrical (a mazurka of some sort); the serenity of this section contrasts with the first part of the scherzo. The last section (A-again ends the ternary form) of the scherzo is essentially a return to the first section of the work, after this is restated: the composition comes to an end.

This Chopin scherzo combines lyricism and discord in a very original and creative fashion. Although not Chopin's most famous scherzo, it packs a good punch. Only a very accomplished pianist can take on this feat.