Sonata Secrets

Henrik Kilhamn explains this well known piece that actually consists of two parts between the two composers. Bach uses one musical idea of the arpeggio pattern throughout the prelude and changes the harmony one step at a time, creating a wonderful sense of assuring and relieving. 130 years later, Gounod wrote a melody to the prelude as accompaniment, which is now known as Ave Maria. Performance of...

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn explains this Chopin Nocturne in A flat major, where Chopin fuses the Nocturne style with a crazy waltz middle section. The initial melody is at first comfortable and reassuring, but after the wlatz section it returns in fortissimo and apassionato! Performance: 13:05

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn follows the yellowed leaves in Tchaikovsky's October - Autumn song - from The Seasons, Op. 37a, for piano. Right and left hand are often in dialogue with their melting, melancholic melodies. Performance: 12:43

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn takes apart Scriabin's ambiguous harmonies in his sparkling Etude in F# major Op. 42 no. 4. The chords seem to exist in two states simultaneously, with some notes acting as bridges inbetween. The Etude is written in 1903, and we are now entering Scriabin's middle period where he is really starting to look outside of traditional harmony.

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn discovers Scriabin's early Nocturne in F# minor, Op. 5 no. 1. The general mood is similar to Chopin Nocturnes, however Scriabin's harmonic world is darker and the air is thicker. Henrik explains how he achieves that in this analysis that is more focused on harmony.

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn presents one of Alexander Scriabin's relatively well known pieces: Etude in C# minor, Op. 2 no. 1. Written by a young composer in a highly romantic style, this short piece is filled with intense emotion throughout.

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn takes on this massive work by Chopin. Rocking back and forth like Gondolas in a canal, the Barcarolle is full of shimmering water sounds and the sections flow seamlessly into each other. The melody begins calmly but turns throughout the piece into powerful rejoicing. Between all the rich nuances the Barcarolle contains true beauty.

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn looks at Debussy's 1st Arabesque in E major. In this early and famous work, beautiful figures and patterns unfold in lines up and down over the piano register. Performance: 8:51

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn follows the lines and layers in Chopin's late Nocturne in E major, Op 62 no 2. This music ranges from a relaxed "conversational" melody to dense and dramatic eruptions in amazing counterpoint writing. Performance: 21:47

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn dives into one of Debussy's grandest preludes: The Sunken Cathedral. Through blurring harmonies and muffled bells, Debussy creates an amazing sound world that gives life to this ancient Breton myth. Performance: 12.53

This is an interesting Nocturne that starts as a Mazurka and ends as a chorale. Pianist Henrik Kilhamn lays out the different sections and dispositions within the music, from the flaring Polish folk dance Mazurka to the still and peaceful chorale. Performance: 11:31

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn presents this pearl of a piece governed by a joyful feeling. We go through some pianistic acrobat acts, exotic “Spanish” chords and whistling in the park. Performance: 8:55

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn enjoys the content character of this light Nocturne, until the middle section enters as an angry outburst. The chaos is never too far away, even when you are just strolling down the street. Performance: 9:34

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn explores the exciting music of Beethoven's Moonlight sonata, the 3rd and last movement. We get the feeling of being hunted by something and struggling to get free through a lot of sudden blasts, rhythmic patterns and intense outbursts. Listen and find out how it goes! Analysis and performance (13:41)

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn goes through the F minor Nocturne that is both heavy and simple. The melody is always returning to a C as if being held in the firm grip of Fate, and after a dramatic middle section the ending comes as a surprise. Analysis and Performance (10:31).

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn presents this pearl of a piece. The poetic epigraph of the piece talks about "mysterious sadness" and Tchaikovsky manages to capture that character perfectly in his simple but beautiful, melancholic melody in G minor. Performance: 13:23

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn presents the Allegretto from Beethoven's famous "Moonlight" sonata in C# minor, Op. 27 no 2. This short but interesting movement is something between a Minuet and a Scherzo and provides a bright change of scene within the sonata. Performance: 7:42

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn presents Liszt's epic Ballad no. 2 in B minor. Liszt is thought to have been inspired by the Greek myth of Hero and Leander in composing the piece.  Performance: 30.47

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn reveals the secrets behind Beethoven's famous "Moonnlight sonata" - how the repeated notes and poignant melody makes up the sad and tragic character of the music, and possibly influenced by an unrequited love of the composer... Performance: 12:32

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn takes on Chopin's Nocturne in B major, Opus 62 no 1. This late Chopin work has many layers - the initial warm nostalgia turns into tragic lamenting and further on to a surprising syncopated middle section, before the main melody returns embellished with trills.

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn goes through Chopin's posthumous Nocturne in C# minor, another one of his most well known pieces. The character is something like noble solemnity and Chopin keeps the simplicity throughout the piece, even with some stirring in the middle section.

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn goes through Chopin's heaviest and most dramatic Nocturne - the one in C minor, Op. 48 no. 1 The lonely notes in the melody is haunted by a demon and blows up in the recapulation when it's just too much to handle.

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn goes through Debussy's emblematic Clair de Lune, with its magical and mysterious moonlight atmosphere. After some inital cool, soothing sequences, there is an appearance of what I like to call the "Adventure" chord.

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn goes thorugh Chopin's E minor Nocturne, Op. 72 no. 1, an early work published posthumously. The heartbreaking tragedy in the initial melody turns unexpectedly to hope or reconciliation in the sections in major.

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn goes through Chopin's famous Nocturne in Eb major, Op. 9 no. 2. Find out how Chopin achieves such a lovely and playful character in the music.