Description
In 1897 Elgar decided to pen a short piece for violin and piano – a ‘pot boiler’ at a time when he was in need of some much-needed funds. He’d tentatively entitled the piece ‘Evensong’ but suggested to his publishers ‘Vespers’ as an alternative. His publishers, however, subsequently settled on Chanson de Nuit as pieces with French titles were thought to be more commercial. The piece was indeed a great success and, a couple of years later, Elgar produced a companion piece – the Chanson de Matin – and later orchestrated both, increasing their popularity yet further.
Although Chanson de Matin has now somewhat eclipsed the earlier piece, it is generally viewed as being more finely crafted of the pair. Its emotional depth perhaps also marks the beginning of a period of new impetus and ambition which was to culminate in the Enigma Variations. Interestingly, the opening melody of Chanson de Nuit is a barely disguised – but perhaps unintentional – quotation of the Siegfried leitmotiv from Götterdämmerung by Wagner – a composer whom Elgar much admired.
Chanson de Nuit is also available as a wind quintet. You might also be interested in my arrangements of Chanson de Matin for wind quintet and wind quartet.
