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Edward Elgar's Opus 15: A Tale of Two Songs (Chanson de Nuit and Chanson de Matin)
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Introduction
Edward Elgar's Chanson de Nuit and Chanson de Matin, Opus 15, are two of his most enchanting and approachable works for violin and piano. These pieces, composed early in his career, exemplify his developing gift for melody and his skill in creating distinct moods within a concise structure.
While originally written at slightly different times and published separately, their grouping as Opus 15 highlights their perfect partnership, offering a captivating musical portrait of day and night (Elgar Works , 2024).
Often categorised as instrumental miniatures or salon music, these compositions are essentially "songs without words" for the concert hall or home, despite their French titles, which literally translate to "Night Song" and "Morning Song." Their genre characteristics include their nature as salon music, being short, highly accessible, and melodic works suitable for intimate settings or as appealing 'bon-bons' within a recital programme, and their reflection of Late Romanticism, exhibiting Elgar's characteristically lyrical and expressive style, combining an "English sensibility" with the orchestral language of the late 19th-century Romantic period (Hessler , 2023).
Chanson de Nuit (Opus 15, No. 1)
Chanson de Nuit (Song of the Night), Op. 15, No. 1 is a tranquil and melancholic violin piece composed by Edward Elgar in 1897 and published two years later, serving as a musical depiction of a serene, introspective evening.
The work establishes a nocturnal, dreamy, and bittersweet mood, conveyed through a slow tempo, often marked Andante or Lento assai, ensuring a serene and unhurried expression. Its core feature is a lyrical, gently undulating violin line, frequently described as a gentle lullaby or sigh, supported by rich harmonic language that utilizes subtle modulations to deepen its contemplative quality.
Although Elgar dedicated this composition to Doctor Frank Ehrke, M.D., its lasting appeal stems from the quiet, reflective sentiment it universally conveys.
Chanson de Matin (Op. 15, No. 2)
Chanson de Matin (Song of the Morning) was completed in 1899, after Chanson de Nuit, but was quickly paired with its counterpart to form Opus 15 upon publication in 1901.
Chanson de Matin presents a stark contrast to the first piece, immediately establishing an atmosphere of joy, freshness, and light, perfectly capturing the spirit of a sunrise and the awakening of nature. Its key characteristics include a more spirited and engaging rhythm, typically marked as Allegretto or Moderato, supporting a cheerful, catchy melody. This tune often incorporates bright, virtuosic passages for the violin. Furthermore, the piece's straightforward and clear structure contributes significantly to its immediate and enduring popular appeal.
The piece captures the optimism of the morning, a feeling reinforced by its bright harmonies and driving rhythmic structure, and is often performed at morning events (Classic FM, 2012).
Performance and Repertoire
Together, the two pieces form a perfect pair, exploring the duality of day and night and the moods they inspire.
Piece | Mood | Character | Year of Publication |
Chanson de Nuit | Night | Reflective, Melancholy | 1899 |
Chanson de Matin | Morning | Cheerful, Joyful | 1901 |
These works have become a staple of concert encore repertoire and are highly valued by violin students for their lyrical content and moderate technical demands. The complete sheet music is now in the Public Domain and is available from IMSLP. Please see the link in the reference section (Chanson de nuit and chanson de matin, Op.15 (Elgar, Edward), 1889)
Beyond the Violin: Performance by Other Instruments
The enduring popularity of Elgar's Opus 15 is perhaps best demonstrated by its widespread transcription for instruments beyond the original violin and piano. Elgar himself orchestrated both pieces, leading to their common performance in orchestral settings, where they are often played by a solo violin or the principal cellist, or even as an ensemble piece.
The most common alternative instrumentation is the Cello. The rich, warm tone of the cello is perfectly suited to the melancholic depth of Chanson de Nuit, lending it a profound, almost vocal quality. Chanson de Matin also translates well to the cello, though the brighter, more nimble passages require skillful adaptation to maintain the piece's characteristic lightness and vivacity.
Elgar's melodies in Chanson de Nuit and Chanson de Matin possess a strength and versatility that allows them to succeed beyond their original violin setting. This is evidenced by their frequent and successful performance on other instruments, including the Clarinet, Flute, and Viola. For instance, the clarinet's expressive qualities beautifully mirror the violin's lyricism, particularly in the "night piece," while the flute lends a delicate, airy feel to the "morning song." These successful transcriptions confirm that the music's emotional impact reaches listeners regardless of the instrument carrying the tune. Various arrangements, such as versions for piano and organ, are also available on IMSLP under the 'Arrangements and Transcriptions' tab.
Conclusion
Elgar's two pieces from Opus 15, Chanson de Nuit and Chanson de Matin, stand as gems of the chamber music repertoire and instrumental miniatures. Their success lies in their poetic contrast and immediately accessible melody, which brilliantly capture the distinct moods of night and morning.
Beyond their artistic merit, these works hold significant educational value: Chanson de Matin, with its engaging rhythm and clear structure, is often considered an excellent stepping stone for violinists, typically placed at the Grade 5 level in examinations. Chanson de Nuit, being more introspective and demanding greater expressive depth and mastery of subtle phrasing, is generally classified at the Grade 6 level.
Their enduring popularity, whether in their original form for violin and piano or in their numerous orchestral and instrumental transcriptions, attests to the strength and versatility of Edward Elgar's melodic genius.
Glossary of Key Terms
Term | Definition |
Allegretto | A tempo mark indicating a moderately quick and cheerful pace, often used in Chanson de Matin. |
Andante | A tempo mark indicating a walking pace; a slow, serene tempo utilized in Chanson de Nuit. |
Bon-bons | A metaphorical term for short, light, and appealing musical pieces often played as encores. |
Chanson de Matin | Translated as "Morning Song"; Opus 15, No. 2, characterized by a joyful and fresh atmosphere. |
Chanson de Nuit | Translated as "Night Song"; Opus 15, No. 1, characterized by a tranquil and melancholic mood. |
IMSLP | The International Music Score Library Project; a digital archive where the public domain sheet music for Opus 15 is available. |
Instrumental Miniature | A short, concise musical composition, often written for a small number of instruments. |
Late Romanticism | A musical period in the late 19th century characterized by expressive, lyrical styles and rich orchestral language. |
Lento assai | A tempo mark indicating a very slow and unhurried expression. |
Moderato | A tempo mark indicating a moderate speed. |
Opus | A term used to number a composer's works, usually in the order of publication or composition. |
Salon Music | A genre of music intended for performance in intimate settings, often melodic and highly accessible. |
Songs Without Words | Melodic instrumental compositions that mimic the lyrical and expressive qualities of vocal music. |
Transcription | The adaptation of a musical composition for a different instrument or ensemble than originally intended. |
Elgar Reference list
Chanson de nuit and chanson de matin, Op.15 (Elgar, Edward) (1889). Chanson De Nuit and Chanson De matin, Op.15 (Elgar, Edward). [online] Imslp.org. Available at: https://imslp.org/wiki/Chanson_de_nuit_and_chanson_de_matin,_Op.15_(Elgar,_Edward) [Accessed 30 Jan. 2026].
Classic FM (2012). Edward Elgar: Chanson De Matin. [online] Classic FM. Available at: https://www.classicfm.com/composers/elgar/music/chanson-de-matin/ [Accessed 13 Feb. 2026].
Elgar Works (2024). Elgar - a Short Biography. [online] www.elgar.org. Available at: https://www.elgar.org/2english.htm [Accessed 30 Jan. 2026]. Elgar.org is owned and managed by Elgar Works, a registered charity (No. 1156953) and a company limited by guarantee (Registration Number: 06040208) in the UK.
Elgar Works (2024). Elgar - His Music : Chansons De Matin Et De Nuit. [online] Elgar.org. Available at: https://www.elgar.org/3chanson.htm [Accessed 13 Feb. 2026]. Elgar.org is owned and managed by Elgar Works, a registered charity (No. 1156953) and a company limited by guarantee (Registration Number: 06040208) in the UK.
Elgar, E. (2020). Very Easy Melodious Exercises in the First Position, Op.22 (Elgar, Edward) - IMSLP. [online] Imslp.org. Available at: https://imslp.org/wiki/Very_Easy_Melodious_Exercises_in_the_First_Position%2C_Op.22_(Elgar%2C_Edward) [Accessed 30 Jan. 2026].
Hessler , R. (2023). Elgar – the Last Romantic «WBJC. [online] Wbjc.com. Available at: https://www.wbjc.com/elgar-the-last-romantic/ [Accessed 30 Jan. 2026].
Horrocks, E. (2021). RGS Celebrates Sir Edward Elgar. [online] RGSW. Available at: https://www.rgsw.org.uk/worcester/rgs-celebrates-sir-edward-elgar/ [Accessed 30 Jan. 2026].
Jerrold Northrop Moore (2005). Edward Elgar : a creative life. [online] Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press. Available at: https://archive.org/details/edwardelgarcreat0000moor [Accessed 13 Feb. 2026].
Kennedy, M. (1987). Portrait of Elgar. [online] Oxford University Press, USA. Available at: https://archive.org/details/portraitofelgar0000kenn [Accessed 13 Feb. 2026].
The Elgar Society (2025). About Elgar - the Elgar Society. [online] The Elgar Society. Available at: https://elgarsociety.org/edward-elgar/about/ [Accessed 13 Feb. 2026].
Young, P.M. (1973). Elgar, O.M. [online] London, New York, White Lion Publishers. Available at: https://archive.org/details/elgaromstudyofmu0000youn [Accessed 13 Feb. 2026].
