nocturne
/'nɔktə:n/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A pensive lyrical piece of music (especially for the piano): A nocturne is a musical composition that is typically reflective, dreamy, and evocative of the night, often written for solo piano.
Usage
- The word "nocturne" is used to describe a specific genre of instrumental music, primarily from the Romantic period. It is a countable noun (e.g., , ).
- It is most commonly associated with piano works by composers like Frédéric Chopin, who established its characteristic style.
Examples
- Noun:
- Chopin's Nocturne in E-flat major is one of his most famous compositions.
- The concert program included a beautiful nocturne by the contemporary composer.
- She practiced the nocturne slowly to capture its melancholic mood.
Advanced Usage
- In a broader artistic context: While primarily a musical term, "nocturne" can occasionally be used metaphorically in literature or other arts to describe a work with a night-like, contemplative quality.
- The poet described his latest collection as a series of literary nocturnes.
Variants and Related Words
- Nocturnal (adj): Of, relating to, or occurring in the night.
- Owls are nocturnal creatures.
- Nocturn (n): A service or office of the Christian liturgy originally said at night. (Note: This is a distinct, rarely used word.)
Synonyms
- Night piece: A less common, direct synonym.
- Serenade: While a serenade is often evening music, it is typically more lyrical and less pensive than a nocturne and can be for various instruments.
- Reverie: A musical piece of a dreamy character, similar in mood but not specifically associated with the night.
Idioms
Noun
- a pensive lyrical piece of music (especially for the piano)