It is a nice
nocturne, neat in its sorrow, yet not epoch-making. The one
following has "the impression of an improvisation." It has also
the merit of being seldom heard. These two nocturnes are
dedicated to Mlle. J. W. Stirling.
Opus 62 brings us to a pair in B major and E major inscribed to
Madame de Konneritz. The first, the Tuberose Nocturne, is faint
with a sick, rich odor. The climbing trellis of notes, that so
unexpectedly leads to the tonic, is charming and the chief tune
has charm, a fruity charm. It is highly ornate, its harmonies
dense, the entire surface overrun with wild ornamentation and a
profusion of trills. The piece--the third of its sort in the key
of B--is not easy. Mertke gives the following explication of the
famous chain trills:
[Musical score excerpt]
Although this nocturne is luxuriant in style, it deserves warmer
praise than is accorded it. Irregular as its outline is, its
troubled lyrism is appealing, is melting, and the A flat portion,
with its hesitating, timid accents, has great power of
attraction.
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