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Tom Hicks based his performances of Chopin’s Nocturnes on the National Edition of the Works of Fryderyk Chopin, published by Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne (PWM), edited by Jan Ekier. This edition was based mainly on the composer’s manuscripts and first editions. Its source commentary notes 4 early French editions, 4 German and 2 English, many with numerous additions and revisions – some authentic and some not. Chopin’s hand-written annotations were numerous in several of his pupils’ copies, also consulted by Ekier. 

During his lifetime Chopin published 18 Nocturnes to which he assigned opus numbers. These were composed 1830-46, and published 1832-46. Those are all included here, along with three early Nocturnes (1826, 1830 and 1837) that were only published posthumously. There are three Nocturnes in both Op. 9 and Op. 15. All other opuses contain two Nocturnes each (Opp. 27, 32, 37, 48, 55, 62). Remembering that Chopin died at the age of 39 in 1849, and his first composition was published in 1825, the Nocturnes truly cover his entire creative life. Hicks arranges these in opus number order, with the three early ones serving as an effective encore. We can clearly hear the development and maturation of Chopin’s style. 

Among the many genres of short (under 10 minutes) pieces Chopin excelled at are the Nocturnes. Although John Field is given credit for the first Nocturnes, it was Chopin who brought the form to its peak. Liszt wrote that “Chopin composes for himself and plays for himself. Listen to him as he dreams. As he weeps. As he sings, with tenderness, gentleness, and melancholy; how perfectly he expresses every feeling, however delicate, however lofty.” The nuance and sensitivity we can imagine in Chopin’s own performances are brought out effectively by Hicks. He shapes the melodies beautifully, and is very attentive to ornamentation and melismatic extensions. He uses wonderful dynamic shading in the inner voices that is normally reserved for the main melody. 

Chopin expressed annoyance in 1843 when Liszt performed one of his Nocturnes with the addition of numerous intricate embellishments, at which Chopin remarked that he should play the music as written or not play it at all. Chopin was nevertheless noted for his own variants and often improvisatory moments in his own music. Hicks has chosen a number of these from the Ekier edition. The famous EI Nocturne Op. 9, No.2 is published in two versions by Ekier because of the many authentic variants. What I learned over 50 years ago was the “standard” published version. Hicks has chosen many of the variants which perk up the discerning ear without ever altering the basic piece. I doubt that Chopin would have been less than quite pleased with Hicks performance.

After listening to Hick’s Nocturnes, I purchased the Ekier edition. I cannot imagine any other performances of these masterpieces that captures their essence any better than Hicks. A Yamaha artist, Hicks recorded the Nocturnes at Cordiner Hall, Walla Walla, Washington between May 2023 and March 2024. The recorded piano sound is state of the art with a clarity and ambience rarely heard. The detailed booklet essay by Kim Sauberlich is enjoyable and enlightening. This recording now occupies the top position of my list for the complete Nocturnes. I would most certainly look forward to more Chopin (or anything else) from this outstanding pianist!