Nocturnewas written in early 1994 and dedicated to the memory of Witold Lutoslawski. The work, originally written for violin but adapted for viola in this version, is an exploration of early ideas for Saariaho’s violin concerto,Graal Thtre, which was premiered in London at the 1995 BBC Promenade Concerts by Gidon Kremer. The first performance ofNocturnewas by John Storgrds on 16 February 1994 in Helsinki.