Piano Sonata No. 2 in B flat Minor, Op 35

The Piano Sonata No.2 in B flat Minor, Op 35 began as the Funeral March in 1837 but the bulk of the work was completed at Nohant near [[Chateauroux] in France in 1839. The work is believed to have been influenced by the struggle for freedom in Poland.

In appearence it seems to have very little cohesion. Robert Schumann noted that Chopin had "bound together four of his most unruly children." This most likely comes from the fact that the Sonata was composed long after the funeral march had been completed.

The Sonata consists of four movements. The first two feature very stormy opening themes requited by very lyrical gentle second themes. In the second the lyrical subject is more calm than in the first. The third features the Funeral March, the very epitome of grief. However, even here the second theme is set apart by its energy and lyrical quality. It is the finale which defies logic. It is a whirlwind of notes endlessly unfurling, whipping, and lashing with no sense of melodic direction. Even Chopin commenting to a friend gives little idea to its interpretation --- "the left and right hands gossip in unison".