Chanson de Nuit
Encyclopedia
Chanson de Nuit, Op. 15, No. 1, is a musical work composed by Edward Elgar
for violin and piano, and later orchestrated by the composer. Its first publication was in 1897, though it is considered that it was almost certainly written in 1889 or 1890.
It has invited comparison with, and has been said to be a finer work than its more popular "companion" piece, Chanson de Matin
, Op. 15, No. 2.
The orchestral version of the work was published in 1899, and first performed, together with Chanson de Matin, at a Queen's Hall
Promenade Concert conducted by Henry Wood on 14 September 1901.
The work was dedicated to F. Ehrke, M.D.
, one oboe
, two clarinets, one bassoon
, two horns
, the string section
, and a harp
.
The most important arrangements are for cello
and piano, for viola
and piano (both by the composer), and for organ
by his friend A. Herbert Brewer
.
Edward Elgar
Sir Edward William Elgar, 1st Baronet OM, GCVO was an English composer, many of whose works have entered the British and international classical concert repertoire. Among his best-known compositions are orchestral works including the Enigma Variations, the Pomp and Circumstance Marches, concertos...
for violin and piano, and later orchestrated by the composer. Its first publication was in 1897, though it is considered that it was almost certainly written in 1889 or 1890.
It has invited comparison with, and has been said to be a finer work than its more popular "companion" piece, Chanson de Matin
Chanson de Matin
Chanson de Matin, Op. 15, No. 2, is a musical work composed by Edward Elgar for violin and piano, and later orchestrated by the composer. Its first publication was in 1899, though it is thought that it was almost certainly written in 1889 or 1890....
, Op. 15, No. 2.
The orchestral version of the work was published in 1899, and first performed, together with Chanson de Matin, at a Queen's Hall
Queen's Hall
The Queen's Hall was a concert hall in Langham Place, London, opened in 1893. Designed by the architect T.E. Knightley, it had room for an audience of about 2,500 people. It became London's principal concert venue. From 1895 until 1941, it was the home of the promenade concerts founded by Robert...
Promenade Concert conducted by Henry Wood on 14 September 1901.
The work was dedicated to F. Ehrke, M.D.
Instrumentation
Elgar scored Chanson de Nuit (and Chanson de Matin) for a small orchestra consisting of one fluteFlute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
, one oboe
Oboe
The oboe is a double reed musical instrument of the woodwind family. In English, prior to 1770, the instrument was called "hautbois" , "hoboy", or "French hoboy". The spelling "oboe" was adopted into English ca...
, two clarinets, one bassoon
Bassoon
The bassoon is a woodwind instrument in the double reed family that typically plays music written in the bass and tenor registers, and occasionally higher. Appearing in its modern form in the 19th century, the bassoon figures prominently in orchestral, concert band and chamber music literature...
, two horns
Horn (instrument)
The horn is a brass instrument consisting of about of tubing wrapped into a coil with a flared bell. A musician who plays the horn is called a horn player ....
, the string section
String section
The string section is the largest body of the standard orchestra and consists of bowed string instruments of the violin family.It normally comprises five sections: the first violins, the second violins, the violas, the cellos, and the double basses...
, and a harp
Harp
The harp is a multi-stringed instrument which has the plane of its strings positioned perpendicularly to the soundboard. Organologically, it is in the general category of chordophones and has its own sub category . All harps have a neck, resonator and strings...
.
Arrangements
The work is most well-known in its original form and the composer's orchestral version.The most important arrangements are for cello
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
and piano, for viola
Viola
The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
and piano (both by the composer), and for organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
by his friend A. Herbert Brewer
Herbert Brewer
Sir Arthur Herbert Brewer was an English composer and organist. As organist of Gloucester Cathedral from 1896 until his death, he contributed a good deal to the Three Choirs Festival for 30 years....
.
Performances on video
- Unknown professional orchestra and conductor - Orchestra
- Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra (amateur) cond. Gregg Martin - Orchestra