Chopin Nocturne Op 15 arr. A Franchomme for Cello & Piano

Chopin's Nocturne Op. 15 makes its demands quietly. The notes are not extreme for Grade 7–8, but sustaining a beautiful singing tone for five minutes is one of the more rigorous tests of bow control in the repertoire, and this edition presents Auguste Franchomme's arrangement re-engraved for clarity and accuracy.

Franchomme was Chopin's closest musical friend, and Chopin dedicated his Cello Sonata to him. The arrangement reflects that closeness: the cello line follows the vocal character of the original directly, and the piano part retains its full weight as an equal voice rather than a reduced accompaniment.

The challenge throughout is making the bow work invisible. Contact point, speed, and pressure all need sustained concentration across phrases that last many bars. Any tension in the right arm shows immediately in the sound, bow changes need to be inaudible, and the vibrato needs to be continuous and expressive without becoming mechanical. It is a real workout for the bow arm dressed up as something quiet and beautiful.

At five minutes, it is a substantial piece for a recital, and the quality of playing it asks for throughout means it will repay serious preparation.

See and hear the difference

Check the score and parts preview images above, then watch the complete score video below. They'll give you a clear picture of the engraving quality and overall difficulty before you buy.

Key features

• Instrumentation: Cello and Piano
• Original composer: Frédéric Chopin; arranger: Auguste Franchomme; edition by Paul Wood
• Difficulty: approximately ABRSM Grade 7–8 (cello)
• Duration: approximately 5 minutes
• Style focus: sustained singing tone, bow control, expressive long-line phrasing
• Format: PDF download, full score and separate cello part

Who it's for

This suits advanced cellists at Grade 7–8 and above who are working on sustained tone production and expressive playing at the highest level. It works well in recital programmes where a deeply lyrical piece is needed, and in examination or diploma preparation where the ability to hold musical quality across a long, unbroken line is the specific skill under scrutiny.