Berceuse
A lullaby, or an instrumental piece with a rocking accompaniment.
What it means
Berceuse is the French term for a lullaby, referring both to the sung song for putting children to sleep and to instrumental pieces that adopt its rocking character. It is marked by a steadily swaying accompaniment figure, usually in 6/8 or a similarly flowing meter, over which a calm, song-like melody unfolds.
Harmonically the berceuse usually stays simple, repeating short, stable patterns that support its soothing, lulling character.
Musical use
Beyond the actual lullaby for voice, the berceuse developed in the nineteenth century into an independent genre for piano and orchestra, as in Frédéric Chopin's Berceuse for piano, which unfolds an intricately ornamented melody over an almost unchanging bass pattern.
It should be distinguished from the general lullaby with no fixed musical form, and from other calm character pieces such as the nocturne, which does not require a rocking accompaniment figure.
Performance practice
When playing or singing a berceuse, keep the accompaniment figure even and calm, almost like a steady pulse, and let the melody above it flow freely and gently. Avoid strong dynamic contrasts, which would work against its rocking, soothing character.