Nocturne in C-sharp Minor, Op. 19, No. 4

Pyotr Tchaikovsky (7 May 1840 — 6 November 1893) was one of the great composers of the Romantic period. He left many famous and beloved compositions.

"Nocturne in C-sharp Minor" is part of his Op. 19, a group of 6 piano pieces, probably written in 1873. The 4th is dedicated to Monika Terminskaya. It was later arranged by Tchaikovsky for cello and orchestra.

It's dark and haunting beauty reminded me of some of Chopin's nocturnes. Having never heard it performed as a piano work, I did not try to "mimic" a piano performance. I did however think of some of the "ethereal effects" in Chopin's writing, and tried to "translate" this to the organ.

As in most cases, the Salisbury Willis, with its exquisite colors, delivers the goods!

The transcription heard here was published by Novello in 1908, and was included in "Novello's Albums for the Organ, No. 3."

Edwin Henry Lemare (9 September 1865 – 24 September 1934) was an English organist and composer who lived the latter part of his life in the United States. He was the most highly regarded and highly paid organist of his generation, as well as the greatest performer and one of the most important composers of the late Romantic English-American Organ School.

The score is attached below, as well as a signed photograph of Tchaikovsky, and one of Lemare as well.