Chasselon - Nocturne "Abandon" in C minor (Score with Analysis)

Work: Nocturne "Abandon" in C minor by Mélanie Chasselon
Performed by: PianoExplained
Instrument: Yamaha P125 Digital Piano

Mélanie Chasselon (1845 - 1923) was a French composer born in Ligny-en-Barrois, a small commune in north-eastern France. She was an organist and a choir director for a church in her community. Her works are mainly written in the Romantic style.

Nocturne "Abandon" in C minor, published in 1873, was Chasselon's most well-known work. Mixed with melancholy, vitality, and night-like crispness, this piece is emotive and appeals to a large range of listeners. One prominent element featured throughout the Nocturne is arpeggiated chords. It adds passion and melancholy, while offering a good opportunity for the performer to insert their personal interpretation of the music. Although Nocturne "Abandon" largely follows the conventions established in the Romantic era, there are some unconventionally energetic phrases / sections which rather jolt the audience up. These can be seen as a metaphor for emotionally passionate and intense thoughts that sometimes cross our minds in the silent of the night. Overall, this is a piece that is very soothing to listen to, and one that many will say sound sweet.

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