Chopin Scherzos

Chopin composed four scherzos. They are pieces for piano solo, and are among the most popular of his works.

Scherzo Number 1 (Op. 20), in B minor, was written in 1831. It is dark, dramatic, and lively.

Scherzo Number 2 (Op. 31), in B-flat minor, was written in 1837. In the words of Robert Schumann, the piece is "overflowing with tenderness, boldness, love, and contempt".

Scherzo Number 3 (Op. 39), in C-sharp minor, was written in 1839. It is the most terse, ironic, and tightly constructed of the four scherzos.

Scherzo Number 4 (Op. 54), in E major, was written in 1842. It is the calmest of the four scherzos.         

Frédéric Chopin (1810 - 1849), who wrote mostly for solo piano, is generally considered to be one of the great masters of Romantic music. His work, often sounding like spontaneous improvisation, is characterized by beautiful rhythmic melodies expressive of heart-felt emotion.

Tutorials (completed the scherzos)

• Op. 20 Scherzo No. 1   

Part 1   (up to most of p.9)

Part 2   (last line of p.9 to p.13)

Part 3 (p.14 to key change on p.17)

Part 4  (p.17 key change to p.21 top line)

Part 5   (p.21  to Coda)

Part 6   (pp. 24 - 25 Coda)

• Op. 31 Scherzo No. 2   

Part 1     Part 1 added score

Part 2     Part 2 added score

Part 3     Part 3 added score

• Op. 39 Scherzo No. 3  

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

• Op. 54 Scherzo No. 4    IMSLP Schirmer ed. Rafael Joseffy

Part 1  (pp. 68-71) 

Part 2   p.72

Part 3  p.73

Part 4  (pp.74-80)

Part 5 (pp.80-85)

Part 6  (pp.86 to 93 end)

Sheetmusic at   imslp.org