Is Chopin's music kind of weak?

[enchantedpianist]

I meant the unconventional structure, the sad melody, the unexpected modulation. It is totally not as academic as Bach's although Chopin said he admired Bach ?! Someone even said that Chopin's music was not chic. I am confused now  

[MorrisseyMan]

I believe that Chopin's music is just as strong as Bach's. He was just as intelectual about composition, only in a different way. He created his own forms, possibly because his own sense of symmetry forced him to do so. Also, the modulations were why he is remembered, and why he is known as one of the great composers. Unconventional modulations aren't the mark of a weak composer, rather, they are the mark of a strong one, as he isn't afraid to go against the convention of the last few centuries. For example, Schoenberg is still known for the twelve-tone method, which doesn't use conventional scales, but is still one of the most intellectual ways of composing ever.

And I don't believe Chopin is always sad... Just look at his F# major Impromptu, any Waltz in a major key, a few of the Nocturnes, and the prime example: the Polonaise in A flat major, op. 53.

[PJF]

Chopin's waltz in E-flat (No. 1) is downright ebullient.  Nothing sad there!

[lol_nl]

I don't believe you can call them "weak". They are different and composed in another era. In the Romantic Era it was the habit of composers to compose in a style comparable to Chopin (not exactly the same of course). In Baroque the compositions were just more fixed and the composer had to compose more things according to musical laws. That doesn't make it stronger (although Bach's compositions are VERY succesful Baroque compositions and therefore maybe "stronger").

[chopin]

Bach and Chopin belong to different periods. Therefore the structural form in their music cannot be the same. Chopin is an innovator of piano music. His transformation of old structures and invention of new forms are amazing.

[nocturne]

I believe that Chopin's music is just as strong as Bach's. He was just as intelectual about composition, only in a different way. He created his own forms, possibly because his own sense of symmetry forced him to do so. Also, the modulations were why he is remembered, and why he is known as one of the great composers. Unconventional modulations aren't the mark of a weak composer, rather, they are the mark of a strong one, as he isn't afraid to go against the convention of the last few centuries. For example, Schoenberg is still known for the twelve-tone method, which doesn't use conventional scales, but is still one of the most intellectual ways of composing ever.

And I don't believe Chopin is always sad... Just look at his F# major Impromptu, any Waltz in a major key, a few of the Nocturnes, and the prime example: the Polonaise in A flat major, op. 53.

I would agree utterly and completely.  Look at his Polonaises, heroic, majestic, and patriotic.  Scherzi, dark and sometimes humourous.  Waltzes, refined, graceful, elegant.  I could go on...Barcarolle, Tarantelle...Preludes...seriously, how could one even dare compare Chopin to something remotely "weak"?  More like a spectrum of wonderful emotions, brought about by colourful harmonies and incredibly idiomatic writing.

[Fantasy]

i think in certain ways, Chopin's music is actually quite similar to Bach's.

[classical91]

i agree with MorrisseyMan statement of chopin music being just as strong as Bachs. In most of chopin music, he uses almost breathtaking chords in the arrangements he does and the especially in his nocturnes while using pianoissiamo he get his piece across the way i believe he wants to. i honestly think that his music is the most inspiring and beautiful piece of art ive heard it makes me cry its so good. genius and not weak at all 

[chauduyphanvu]

Well, I may not say that Chopin's music is weak, if you listen carefully, you would find that his music contains somethings that I don't know which word to use. That feeling is somewhat "very Chopin", that is not weak, weak music is that it has melodies which are related to other's, or something like that, but Chopin's music is not related to any other's, he has his own ideas and structures ...

[Tmoica]

I have always believed it's kind of romantic to make significant contrast in artist's work. I guess people may feel Chopin music is weak because they may experience the melancholy in his pieces deeper than the jubilance, or they may be seeking just for melancholy and only listen to such pieces. To be honest, that's how I felt. The sadness I saw in Chopin's pieces is what attracted me to his work and to piano. I was only listening to such works, and rather listened to slower but sad pieces because they made me feel the way faster and virtous pieces couldn't.

But as I started to play piano and listened to more of his work, I realized his music is strong. I couldn't believe the behaviour of fingers when watching pianists playing some of fastest Chopin's work. And those virtous parts don't seem to me like some headless rapidity; I hear them as beautifull melodies or beautifull movements in harmony which are original and genious. I feel that the dynamics in Chopin's work is a strong overflow of sadness and joy in so many ways, that are tensed so piecefully and calm, and yet so sharp.

In my eyes that's a huge strength. But even weakness can sometimes mean a strength.

My knowledge of music and Chopin's life is poor, but this is simply the way I feel when listening to his music.