《Nocturne in C Sharp Minor》

Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)

This piece was transcribed by the noted Russian violinist Nathan Milstein (1904-1992) from Chopin’s Nocturne in C Sharp Minor. The nocturne form was created by the Irish pianist John Field (1782–1837) , who published many pieces in this form during the period 1812–1836; its chief characteristic is the use of a cantabile melody over an accompaniment. Although Chopin did not meet Field until 1832, biographies of Chopin suggest that he may have heard nocturnes by Field while still living in Poland. Chopin wrote a total of 21 nocturnes; 18 which were published during his lifetime in collections of two or three pieces, while the remaining three, including the piece on this recording, were discovered and published in the early 20th century.