The Nocturnes are titled as Four Études for Violoncello with Accompaniment. The rhythmically asymmetrical first movement is followed by a sombre Lento, in which the violoncellist lets himself to be carried away by the melody in double stops. Nocturne No. 3 then offers a glimpse into the impressions of France, which foreshadows the finale of the whole work, Nocturne No. 4, which combines Bohuslav Martinů’s characteristic sense of humor with a rhythmic element. The work was completed in 1931 in Paris and dedicated to Karel Košťál. It was not published until 1990 by Éditions Alphonse Leduc in Paris.
Petr Nouzovský, Bohuslav Martinů: Works for Cello and Piano, Prague: Arco Diva, 2020.