Nocturne for String orchestra, 1947; 1954.

This short piece (its first version was less then ten minutes long) was composed in 1947. It draws on the tradition of slow parts of cyclic compositions. The ABA-structured Nocturne with a livelier middle section is a composition that fully reveals Palester’s romantic predilections.

The work was premiered on 1 June 1948 in Brussels, with Franz André conducting. It was Palester’s first contact with the distinguished Belgian conductor, who proved to be a very committed propagator of his music. In 1954 Palester reworked and expanded his Nocturne.