Nocturnes, Op. 48 (Chopin)

Finally, the piece ends with a reprise of the initial melody with extremely fast chordal accompaniment.

[5][6] Theodor Kullak said of the piece, "the design and poetic contents of this nocturne make it the most important one that Chopin created; the chief subject is a masterly expression of a great powerful grief.

"[8] James Friskin found the music to have "the most imposing instrumental effect of any of the nocturnes," calling the crescendo and octaves "almost Lisztian.

"[10] Kleczyński commented that the middle section "is the tale of a still greater grief told in an agitated recitando; celestial harps come to bring one ray of hope, which is powerless in its endeavor to calm the wounded soul, which...sends forth to heaven a cry of deepest anguish.

When compared with the more melancholy outer themes, the middle section, più lento, is completely different—the piece modulates from minor to major (D♭), changes its meter to 34 and decreases tempo.

"[5] The recapitulation is cut short by the coda, which ends with trills, a rising arpeggio and final chord in F♯ major.