Berceuse (Järnefelt)

The Berceuse in G minor (sometimes followed parenthetically by the Finnish translation Kehtolaulu or by the English translation Cradle Song) is a concert piece for violin and accompaniment written in 1904 by the Finnish composer Armas Järnefelt. Originally for violin and piano, the piece is better known as an arrangement for violin and orchestra that Järnefelt made the same year. At this time, he also made a version of solo piano.

Järnefelt (left) was inspired to compose his Berceuse upon seeing his young daughter, Eva (held by her mother Maikki, right), asleep in bed with a fever.

Along with the earlier Prelude (Preludi) for orchestra (1900), the Berceuse is Järnefelt's most well-known piece—together, their popularity has "eclipsed" the composer's other works. Indeed, the two "melodically charming miniatures" frequently are recorded together. A typical performance of the Berceuse lasts about three minutes.

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