Meaning of nocturne | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A work of art relating or dedicated to the night
2. A work of art relating or dedicated to the night.
3. A dreamlike or pensive composition, usually for the piano
4. A dreamlike or pensive composition, usually for the piano.

Equivalents

Examples

“He [James Abbott McNeill Whistler] was then asked for his definition of a Nocturne: “I have⟳ perhaps, meant rather to indicate⟳ an artistic interest⟳ alone in the work⟳, divesting the picture from any outside sort⟳ of interest⟳ which might have⟳ been otherwise attached to it. It is an arrangement of line, form⟳, and colour first, and I make⟳ use⟳ of any incident of it which shall bring⟳ about a symmetrical result⟳. Among my works are some night pieces; and I have⟳ chosen the word Nocturne because it generalises and simplifies the whole set⟳ of them.””

“When John Ruskin, a sort⟳ of pope among the art critics of the time, was faced with [James Abbott McNeill] Whistler’s canvases at the opening exhibition of The Grosvenor Gallery in 1877, he was so outraged that he attacked Whistler in a review⟳, charging him with wilful imposture for “flinging a pot of paint⟳ in the public's face⟳.” It seems that Ruskin's main target⟳ was Whistler’s Nocturne in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket (1875).”

““My tastes,” he said, still smiling, “incline me to the garishly sunlit side of this planet.” And, to tease her and arouse her to combat: “I prefer⟳ a farandole to a nocturne; I’d rather have⟳ a painting than an etching; Mr. Whistler bores me with his monochromatic mud; I don’t like⟳ dull colours, dull sounds, dull intellects;[…].””

“For all its grace, charm, and apparent simplicity, [Frédéric] Chopin’s Nocturne in E♭ major, Op. 9, No. 2, poses fundamental problems on close⟳ inspection. The fact that so many analyses of the piece – including those of Heinrich Schenker and Felix Salzer – fail⟳ to explain⟳ certain idiosyncratic aspects, in particular an unusual distribution of structural weight, gives some indication of the Nocturne’s complexities at a profound level.”

“The vocal nocturne, in other words, turns out to be no easier a genre to define⟳ than the piano nocturne. But its ambiguities are nevertheless helpful in making sense⟳ of those of the piano nocturne.”

“And finally it's time, and he's out there, under the spot, in his element. The first piece of the night is Shostakovich. Its first movement is a sedate, haunting, almost melodramatic nocturne, but before too long the concerto changes gear and becomes energetic, discordant, feral.”

CEFR level