This Nocturne in F-sharp minor was composed in 1822. The first nocturne by the Irish composer John Field (1782–1837), considered the founder of the nocturne, was composed in 1812. Although there are various theories regarding the composition year of Chopin's (1810–1837) nocturnes, they are generally considered to be from 1825 or later. It is likely that Livadić's Nocturne was composed under the influence of Field, who was well-known in Europe at the time. As a work predating Chopin's nocturnes, it can be considered a highly interesting and valuable piece.

This nocturne remained unpublished and lay dormant in manuscript form for over 100 years before being discovered. It was premiered by the Croatian pianist Svetislav Stančić (1895–1970) on February 25, 1927, in Zagreb, at a concert organized by the Croatian Music Institute (Hrvatski Glazbeni Zavod, abbreviated HGZ). However, the interest of music critics at the time was primarily directed towards nationalistic music, and they seemingly showed no particular interest in the discovery and re-evaluation of this forgotten musical heritage. Subsequently, in 1962, its value was re-evaluated through the research of the prominent Croatian musicologist Josip Andreis (1909–1982), and the score was finally published by the Croatian Music Institute in 1975.

It is a charming work, full of poetic inspiration, romantic undulations, youthful frankness, and vibrancy.

References

Andreis, Josip. (1989), Povijest glazbe 4. Zagreb: SVEUČILIŠNA NAKLADA LIBER