Publication History

• First Edition: Paris, Henry Lemoine, 1845
• Second Edition: Ibid., 1868
• Dedication: À Mlle Inès MARTINEAU

This piece is Ravina's first published nocturne, released when he was 27 years old. During this period, when pianos were becoming more widespread in general households, Ravina's compositional approach gradually shifted from the pursuit of virtuosity towards elegant salon pieces for amateurs. This piece was a hit, positioned precisely at this turning point, and was published in various countries including France, England, Germany, and Italy, going through multiple editions. In England and Italy, it was published under female names such as "Sylvia," "Violette," and "Inès" (the dedicatee), indicating it was marketed towards young women in households. The re-publication in 1868, following the first edition in 1845, suggests the enduring popularity of this piece.

Differences Between Editions

Incidentally, there are several differences between the first and second editions of this piece. While this collection is edited based on the second edition, the first edition lacks the four-measure prelude found here. Other additions in the second edition include:

• The rit. indication in measure 40
• The fermata in measure 48
• The B in the upper voice of the 6th beat of measure 85
• The A-flat in the upper voice of the 6th beat of measure 89

Musical Analysis and Performance Notes

The piece is written in A-B-A' ternary form. The musical idea is surprisingly bright for a nocturne, rather evoking bright sunshine. In contrast, the middle section is dominated by a pathetic atmosphere. Ravina's theatrical sensibility is well demonstrated in this kind of storytelling that draws in the listener, so it is important to clearly emphasize the contrast in musical character during performance. It is important to value the melodic phrasing and the detailed nuances indicated, and to sing broadly so that the coherence of the phrase is not lost by focusing too much on the ornaments.

Source Information

This commentary is based on the commentary in Henri Ravina, "Ravina Piano Pieces" (Kawai Publishing, edited by Yasushi Ueda), published in 2015.

Score Information Kawai Publishing ONLINE "Ravina Piano Pieces"