A nocturne is a musical composition that is inspired by, or evocative of, the night. The term nocturne (from French nocturne 'of the night', also named Notturno) was first applied to musical pieces in the 18th century, when it indicated an ensemble piece in several movements, normally played for an evening occasion. In its form as a single-movement character piece usually written for solo piano, the nocturne was cultivated primarily in the 19th century. The first nocturnes to be written under the specific title were by the Irish composer John Field, generally considered as the father of the Romantic nocturne that features a cantabile melody over an arpeggiated, broken-chord accompaniment. This album, and its successor Vol. 2, presents Nocturnes composed in Russia, written in a widely varying style, from the relatively simple Nocturnes by Glinka (the Father of Russian classical music), to the highly-perfumed, elaborate and sensual nocturnes by Alexander Scriabin. Played by Bart van Oort on a Steinway from 1875. Bart van Oort is a pioneer in historic pianos, his many recordings on period instruments on Brilliant Classics include works by Mozart, Haydn, J.C. Bach, Dussek and Chopin.