A Secret Garden: "Nocturne"

Piano solo interpretations of “Nocturne” by Secret Garden bring out the piece’s serene beauty and lyrical grace, emphasizing its flowing melodies and gentle emotional resonance. Without the original’s orchestral backing, the piano alone captures a sense of peaceful introspection and timeless elegance.

This post is part twenty eight of the Mild & Mellow Sheet Music Series.
A Secret Garden: "Nocturne"

About A Secret Garden:

Secret Garden is a Norwegian-Irish music duo known for their distinctive blend of classical, Celtic, and new-age music. Formed in 1994 by Norwegian composer and pianist Rolf Løvland and Irish violinist Fionnuala Sherry, the group gained international recognition after winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1995 with their instrumental piece “Nocturne.” Unlike typical Eurovision entries, “Nocturne” featured minimal lyrics and focused on melodic expression, setting the tone for the duo’s future work. Their music is characterized by lyrical piano lines, emotive violin melodies, and lush, cinematic arrangements that evoke a sense of serenity, longing, and natural beauty.

Over the years, Secret Garden has released numerous albums, including Songs from a Secret Garden, White Stones, and Earthsongs, which have earned them a global following. Their work often features guest vocalists and instrumentalists, blending traditional and contemporary elements to create a uniquely soothing and emotionally rich sound. With compositions like “You Raise Me Up,” which became a widely covered inspirational anthem, Secret Garden has left a lasting impact on both classical crossover and inspirational music genres. Their timeless style continues to offer listeners a space for peace, reflection, and emotional connection.


About “Nocturne”:

“Nocturne” by Secret Garden is a gentle, evocative composition that brought the duo international acclaim when it won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1995. Composed by Rolf Løvland with lyrics by Petter Skavlan and performed by violinist Fionnuala Sherry and Norwegian singer Gunnhild Tvinnereim, the piece stood out for its minimalist structure and ethereal atmosphere. Unlike most Eurovision entries, “Nocturne” contains only a few lines of lyrics, allowing the lush instrumental arrangement to carry the emotional weight of the song. The melody unfolds slowly and gracefully, led by tender violin and piano lines that create a sense of stillness and reflection.

The success of “Nocturne” marked a turning point for Secret Garden, defining their signature sound and setting the stage for a series of acclaimed albums blending Celtic, classical, and new-age influences. The track’s understated beauty and contemplative mood resonated with listeners across genres, making it a timeless piece often used in meditative and ceremonial settings. “Nocturne” is widely celebrated not only for its musical artistry but also for its quiet boldness—a song that won one of the world’s biggest pop competitions with serenity rather than spectacle. Its legacy endures as a symbol of emotional depth and elegance in instrumental music.


🎶 “Nocturne” Intermediate Extended Version

Key features of this version:

  • Extended version with added solo sections
  • Sections have modified ranges for a sparkling sound
  • 8 total pages
  • Run time is approximately 5:00

🧐 Sheet music sneak peek:


🎶 “Nocturne” Intermediate Piano Solo

Key features of this version:

  • Mirrors the original recorded version
  • Ranged have modified ranges for a sparkling sound
  • 5 total pages
  • Run time is approximately 3:00

🧐 Sheet music sneak peek:


🎶 “Nocturne” Easy Piano Solo

Key features of this version:

  • Mirrors the original recorded version
  • Ranged have modified ranges for a sparkling sound
  • 5 total pages
  • Run time is approximately 3:00

🧐 Sheet music sneak peek:


🎹 Looking for Mild & Mellow piano sheet music?


👋 Did I miss one of your favorites? I’m always open to requests so drop me a comment!



Jennifer Eklund
Written by Jennifer Eklund
Jennifer Eklund holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in music from California State University, Long Beach. She is an avid arranger, composer, and author of the Piano Pronto® method books series as well as a wide variety of supplemental songbooks. She is also a Signature Artist with Musicnotes.com with a large catalog of popular music titles for musicians of all levels.

Comments

User's avatar


No comments yet
Be the first to comment.

Taylor Swift Sheet Music: "Christmas Tree Farm"
Taylor Swift
Christmas Sheet Music
By Request
2010s Sheet Music

Taylor Swift Sheet Music: "Christmas Tree Farm"

Three fresh piano solo arrangements by Jennifer Eklund of Taylor Swift's jovial holiday jaunt "Christmas Tree Farm." Sheet music is available for advanced, intermediate, and easy piano.

  • 4 min read
Read more
Yacht Rock Sheet Music: Year of the Cat
Yacht Rock Sheet Music
Pop Sheet Music
By Request
1970s Sheet Music

Yacht Rock Sheet Music: Year of the Cat

In Vietnam 2023 marks the year of the water cat. Nearly 40 years ago, Al Stewart released his song of the same title, and we've got a great piano solo arrangement of it!

  • 7 min read
Read more
Sabrina Carpenter: "Please Please Please"
Mild & Mellow Sheet Music
Pop Sheet Music

Sabrina Carpenter: "Please Please Please"

Piano solo renditions of Sabrina Carpenter’s “Please Please Please” strip the song down to its emotional core, highlighting the vulnerability and desperation in the lyrics through delicate, sustained chords and a slow, expressive tempo. Without the pop production, the melody becomes more introspective, allowing the raw pleading behind the words to take center stage.

  • 5 min read
Read more