Literally, ‘Berceuse’ is translated as ‘lullaby’, or ‘cradle song’ and, to be honest, I would have been the happiest kid if such a lullaby had been played to me as a baby!
Frédéric Chopin had initially been planning to name the work “Variations” as it does consists of variations played in D-major flat. The title was changed to the present-day “Berceuse” at the moment of the piece’s publication in 1844. It was published by J. Meissonnier of Paris and officially dedicated to the lady Elise Gavard who was Chopin’s loyal pupil and admirer of his talent.
It was Chopin who elevated the specific genre of the cradle-song to an entirely new level. The simple harmony ornamented with 14 beautiful accompaniments make Berceuse a wonderful work of art, charming and elegant. Many composers including Franz Liszt later took it as a guide in this form of art song.
One of my favourite interpretations of this magnificent piece of music is the performance by the Brazilian pianist Guiomar Novaes who was among the best musicians of the 20th century.
Frédéric Chopin had initially been planning to name the work “Variations” as it does consists of variations played in D-major flat. The title was changed to the present-day “Berceuse” at the moment of the piece’s publication in 1844. It was published by J. Meissonnier of Paris and officially dedicated to the lady Elise Gavard who was Chopin’s loyal pupil and admirer of his talent.
It was Chopin who elevated the specific genre of the cradle-song to an entirely new level. The simple harmony ornamented with 14 beautiful accompaniments make Berceuse a wonderful work of art, charming and elegant. Many composers including Franz Liszt later took it as a guide in this form of art song.
One of my favourite interpretations of this magnificent piece of music is the performance by the Brazilian pianist Guiomar Novaes who was among the best musicians of the 20th century.
