Lysenko - Elegie "La Tristesse", Op. 39, No. 3 (Urtext Edition)

Mykola Lysenko’s Elegie “La Tristesse,” Op. 39, is a poignant miniature for cello and piano that showcases the composer’s lyrical gift. Originally written for solo piano as Журба in Album from the Summer of 1901, Lysenko later arranged the piece for cello and retitled it Сум. With echoes of Romantic favorites such as Chopin’s Cello Etude, Massenet’s Élégie, and Tchaikovsky’s Nocturne, the work brings together emotional depth, elegance, and a distinctly Ukrainian voice.

The Elegie follows an AABA form, with a dramatic cadenza, a haunting slow theme, and a waltz-like middle section. In the cello version, Lysenko transforms the original piano melody into a soulful cello line, supported by expressive harmony and inventive counterpoint.

This edition is based on the Kyiv publication by Léon Idzikowski, issued circa 1901–1905. More detailed critical notes may be read here: https://yuriyleonovich.com/home/blog/7509666/critical-notes-series-lysenko-s-elegie-la-tristesse

This charming piece is suitable for intermediate cellists and works well for recitals, lessons, and programs exploring Romantic miniatures, Ukrainian repertoire, or lyrical cello works bridging Ukrainian and broader European traditions.

ASTA level: 2.5–3