Berceuse Héroïque

The Berceuse Héroïque, a lullaby for a hero, was composed in 1914 as a homage to King Albert I from Belgium and his soldiers. The work opens very dark and mysterious and then builds a huge crescendo. In the middle section of the work, Debussy uses the Belgium Anthem, in this transcription played by a trombone quartet. The work ends in the same mystic mood as it opened, with the trumpets and saxophones playing a signal, remembering the hero. In 1914 the Berceuse Héroïque was orchestrated and there is also a transcription for woodwind quintet. Although the Berceuse Héroïque is a rather unknown piece, it is still played by many famous pianists.