Well, while this thread is still open, let me post another plug for "Tristesse" (Sadness), Étude Op. 10, No. 3 by Chopin (étude means study in French).
For non-musicians like myself,
The term “étude” has long been used to describe pieces of technical, sometimes virtuosic, difficulty, focused on training and refining a specific aspect of a performer’s technique. Masters such as Czerny and Hanon wrote notorious etudes that are legendary exercises in finger and hand dexterity and strength. Although invaluable in this regard, these etudes are lacking in musical development, since most of them are merely repetitions of the same general pattern of notes. They have no inherent musicality.
Hah! Music that shows off difficult techniques, without musicality! It may work for the players who strive for virtuosity, but what is in it for a mere listener like myself? Chopin's pieces weren't that boring. Any non-pianist who has ever heard of Czerny and Hanon? I hadn't.
Chopin never named any of his works. The nickname "Tristesse" was given by followers of his works. From a Web site,
What makes this particular etude notable, however, is not its technical difficulty. It is the nostalgia, the wistfulness, and the emotion that flow through the music. Chopin is rumored to have proclaimed about this etude that “In all my life I have never again been able to find such a beautiful melody.” It is also reported that while Chopin was playing this for a student, he suddenly began weeping and cried “Oh, my homeland!” This etude is one of the best expressions of Chopin’s nationalism and the love he felt for his Poland.
While the piece is undoubtedly very emotional, many musicians believe that it is poorly nicknamed. Tristesse, which translates to sadness, is a misnomer, to say the least. The etude is not simply “sad”; it is an expression of nostalgia and Chopin’s love of his homeland. It has firmly established itself as one of Chopin’s most popular and best loved compositions.
Ever since listening to this as a kid, I love this obvious sadness though not aware of it as Chopin's expressed love of his motherland. Because of the melody, lyrics have been written in many languages to turn it into a song. And more often than not, it was made into a love song. Of course there is an English version, which follows.
YouTube - Chopin - Tristesse - Chanson de L'Adieu
So deep is the night,
No moon tonight,
No friendly star
To guide me with its light
Be still my heart,
Silent lest my love should be returning
From a world far apart.
So deep is the night
O lonely night,
On broken wings
My heart has taken flight
And left a dream.
In my dream our lips are blending,
Will my dream be never ending?
Will your mem`ry haunt me till I die?
Alone am I,
Deep into the night,
Waiting for the light,
Alone am I,
I wonder why?
Deep is the night.