Chopin: Berceuse, Opus 57 [Alf:00-3579]

This impressionistic cradle song was composed by Chopin in 1843 and first performed by the composer in early 1844. It is one of only two pieces by Chopin with a descriptive title, implying that he had definite pictures in his mind while composing it. Berceuse, Op. 57 is centered around a one measure repeating bass figure, and a four measure theme which constantly evolves into a series of imaginative variations. Detailed performance notes are also provided in this informative edition.