Nocturnes Préludes by Samson François & Chopin: A Romantic Rollercoaster You Didn’t Know You Needed
If you’re into classical music, or even if you’re just dipping your toes into the genre because someone told you it’s “good for focus,” Nocturnes Préludes is an album that’ll stick to your brain like gum on a summer sidewalk. Released in 2012 under labels like EMI Classics and Erato, this record brings together Frédéric Chopin’s timeless compositions with Samson François’ hands-on-the-keys wizardry. Spoiler alert: it’s not just another piano album—it feels more like eavesdropping on a private conversation between genius minds from two centuries ago.
Let’s get real here. This isn’t one of those albums where every track blends together into some vague impression of “classical chill vibes.” Nope. What makes Nocturnes Préludes stand out are moments so vivid they feel almost intrusive—as if Chopin himself leaned over François’ shoulder whispering, “Play it like this, dammit!” Two tracks especially jumped out at me during my listens (yes, plural—I couldn’t stop).
First up, N° 7 En La Majeur hits different. It starts off all sweet and innocent, like a lazy Sunday morning when nothing’s going wrong… yet. Then BAM! Around the halfway point, things take a turn—you can practically hear François thinking, “Oh no, we’re doing emotionally devastating now.” The melody twists and turns like a vine choking a tree, but instead of being sad about it, you kinda want to applaud. By the end, I was left staring blankly at my wall, wondering why I suddenly cared so much about something as simple as notes played on a piano.
And then there’s Op. 48 N° 2, which sounds like what would happen if raindrops had feelings—and trust me, these ones do. It’s slow, deliberate, and dripping with melancholy. But weirdly enough, it doesn’t bum you out. Instead, it feels cathartic, like crying after holding everything in for way too long. François nails the pacing here; he lets each note breathe before moving on, giving you time to sit with your own thoughts. Honestly, listening to this felt like therapy without having to pay $150 per session.
What really ties the whole thing together is how polished but still human it feels. Credit goes to Paul Vavasseur and Walter Ruhlmann for engineering magic behind the scenes, plus Eric McLeod keeping things tight as producer. And let’s not forget Josée Malamoud’s design concept—because who doesn’t love artwork that matches the vibe?
Now here’s the kicker: despite its European roots (France, to be exact), this album doesn’t scream “pretentious art piece only snobs will understand.” It’s accessible, emotional, and raw in ways that make you forget you’re technically listening to centuries-old sheet music. Like, imagine Chopin walking into a modern coffee shop and vibing with the playlist—they’d probably fist-bump over how well his stuff holds up today.
So yeah, Nocturnes Préludes isn’t perfect—it’s better than that. It’s messy, beautiful, and unapologetically alive. And honestly? If Chopin were alive today, I bet he’d trade his quill pen for Spotify royalties faster than you could say “streaming rights.”
Here’s a cool fact: The album *Nocturnes Préludes* by Samson François brings together two giants of classical music—Frédéric Chopin and François himself. While Chopin composed the timeless nocturnes and preludes, François, a legendary French pianist, gave them life with his unique touch. What’s fascinating is that this recording was released in 2012, decades after François passed away in 1970. It’s like hearing a piece of history come alive through his masterful playing. Plus, the album showcases Chopin’s genius across two iconic forms: the dreamy nocturnes and the intricate preludes. A true meeting of minds across time!
