The Nocturne in A-flat major is initially marked as lento (slow) and in 4
4 meter. It is structured in an A–B–B′–A′ format and features a melodic and bright main melodic theme in the A section, with a turbulent and dramatic theme in the B sections. In measure 27, the A section transitions into the B section, as the meter switches to 12
8 and the key to F minor (the relative minor of A♭ major). This initial transition is performed over a C dominant seventh chord, which is not totally foreign to A♭ and yet pushes strongly away towards the F minor B section. After a tumultuous set of chromatically descending octaves at the end of the B section, the key changes to F♯ minor in measure 39 and returns to A♭ major at measure 51, where the meter also returns to 4
4. The tempo returns to lento in measure 73. The piece has a total of 74 measures and is in ternary form. (78 in this edition due to tempo changes)
Jaihanus
7/12/24 6:10
