Chopin: Berceuse in D-flat major, Op. 57 | Daniel Barenboim, piano

Chopin: Berceuse in D-flat major, Op. 57 | Daniel Barenboim, piano
蕭邦：降D大調搖籃曲，作品57號 | 丹尼爾·巴倫博伊姆，鋼琴

1825 views Sep 3, 2026 #chopin #solopiano #barenboim
A sumptuous lullaby written for the piano by one of classical music's leading composers — this is Frédéric Chopin's Berceuse in D-flat major, Op. 57. It's performed here by Daniel Barenboim during an all-Chopin concert in Warsaw in 2010.

The Berceuse in D-flat major, Op. 57, is one of Frédéric Chopin's (1810-1849) most delicate and unique piano compositions. The word "berceuse" means lullaby or cradle song, and with its gentle rocking rhythm, the piece has a calm, dreamlike quality that's fitting for bedtime. Originally titled "Variantes," the piece was written in 1834/1844 during a time when Chopin stayed at his partner George Sand’s estate in Nohant, France.

At the start of this period on the estate, the couple was hosting Louisette, the young daughter of the singer and composer Pauline Viardot. Accounts suggest that she may have been the inspiration for the piece, since Chopin became very fond of her. The composer may also have taken inspiration from his own childhood — the main melody has been linked to a Polish song called "Już miesiać zeszedl psy sie uspily" ["The moon now has risen, the dogs are asleep"].

Musically speaking, the accompaniment of the Berceuse in the left hand provides a steady, rocking foundation, while the right hand plays with the original theme through delicate runs and ornaments in increasingly complex patterns. Towards the end of the work, the elaborate ornamentation fades out, and the original simplicity of the theme returns. The combination of technical sophistication and expressiveness makes the Berceuse an important example of Chopin’s later works.

Daniel Barenboim is one of the world's leading conductors, having headed major orchestras such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Staatskapelle Berlin. A talented pianist, Barenboim has nursed a long relationship with the work of Chopin, frequently performing and recording his piano works.

Author: Sarah Hucal

Film Provided by DW Classical Music