The word "Nocturne" (pronounced Noc-turn) simply means something relating to the night. In music, a Nocturne is a specific type of composition that evokes the mood and atmosphere of the night. Think of it as a musical painting of a peaceful, often melancholic, evening scene.

Frédéric Chopin's set of twenty-four Preludes, Op. 28, is a treasure trove of miniature masterpieces, each exploring a unique mood and technical challenge. Among them, the seventh—the famous Prelude in A major—stands out as a jewel of lyrical simplicity and a perfect piece for the intermediate pianist to explore.

The Romantic Era, a period spanning roughly from the late 18th to the mid-19th century, was a profound artistic, literary, and intellectual movement that swept across Europe.