Nocturne

About this piece

Lili Boulanger wrote this short piece in October 1911; the autograph for flute and piano is titled "Pièce courte". Ricordi published it in 1918 as Nocturne for violin (or flute) and piano. It is dedicated to her friend Marie-Danielle Parenteau. The violin version was first performed on 17 December 1915 at the Petit Palais in Paris by Émile Mendels, with the composer at the piano. The French Wikipedia article quotes Launay describing it as "au profond lyrisme", and Naoumoff as written "tout entier en lignes simples et poétiques". Paul R. van der Reijden's cello arrangement (Musica Deliberata, 2016) is a free cello part on IMSLP under a CC BY 4.0 licence, to be played with Boulanger's original piano part (the 1918 Schirmer edition is also on IMSLP). Cello recordings include Anouchka and Katharina Hack (Berlin Classics) and a historic recording by Pierre Fournier. It is set for Trinity Cello Grade 8 (Group B).

Technical overview

A single slow movement (Assez lent, about 3 minutes) in F major: a long-breathed legato line with dotted figures, frequent tempo changes (à l'aise, Un peu animé, en s'éloignant) and a muted, very soft close. The middle climax has fast rising scale runs of 7, 9 and 11 notes and leaps into the upper register, which need secure shifting, an expressive vibrato ("Très vibrant") and close dynamic control.

Technical focus

• Legato
• Dotted Rhythms
• Shifting
• Vibrato
• Rubato
• Dynamics
• Hairpin Dynamics
• Tenor Clef
• Treble Clef
• Mute usage
• Tempo Changes
• Accidentals
• Rhythm