Jascha Heifetz published this arrangement of the eponymous early Debussy song in 1935. Debussy likely penned the original vocal version in 1878 while in his mid-teens setting a poem by Paul Bourget. This title is translated Beautiful Evening and the poem continues to describe such an evening then explores the need to relish such experiences in light of the brevity of human life. Though brief the piece is elegant in its lyricism and remains true to the emotion of the text which may be perceived even when one does not hear the words.

Grades 2-Whether a student or a great artist the desire to make a beautiful sound is a constant in the life of any musician. Sound is the musician's voice the means of communicating an artistic vision to the audience and it should be the aim for children of any age or standard to be engaged in good tone production.The inspiration for writing these pieces came from the wish to give young students music which would develop their ear for both good intonation and beautiful tone production. All the pieces have a strongly implied harmonic structure allowing them to be played without accompaniment. The purpose of the accompanuments is therefore to enable the teacher to underline theharmony as well as to influence the student's tone production and intonation through his own sound as much can be taught by good example.Finally it is the author's belief that children enjoy the challenge of expressing different moods and emotions musically and it is hoped that the range of ideas implied by the keys and the titles of these pieces will fire their imagination.Contents:Almost Alone D MinorAlong the Sunny Path F MajorDance of the Gnomes D MinorEnglish Folk Song A MajorFisherman's Tale Bb MajorFull Moon F MajorHappy Song G MajorIntermezzo Bb MajorLana's Song A MinorLändler A MajorMountain Climb G MajorOff to School C MajorOverture G MajorQuick March ! A MajorRustic Dance D MajorSad Song G MinorSicilienne G MinorSicilienne Variation G MinorSpring Song C MajorSunshine and Flowers C MajorVirtuoso Variations G Major

Lili Boulanger was the sister of the famous teacher Nadia Boulanger who taught Aaron Copland Elliott Carter and Philip Glass amongst others. She was a composer for the last 10 years of her tragically short life - she died at 25 - and her music stands in the main line of French music exemplified by Faure somewhat tinged with the influence of Debussy's Impressionism. It is generally beautiful delicately coloured and touching. These challenging 'Two Pieces for Violin and Piano' exemplify these qualities. The Nocturne begins sparsely with bare octave figures wound about with a theme built from a repetitive rise-and-fall figure. As the texture become thickerthe violin becomes more virtuosic and begins to climb. There is no harmonic resolution until the final ppp note in the top register which is answered by an low octave from the piano. The Cortege is more lively without being fast. Shifting rhythmic accents tricky runs and contrasting dynamics make this an exciting piece.