30 Pieces: Selim Palmgren's Nocturne in Three Scenes for Piano

This month, WQXR is taking 30 pieces from the 2014 Classical Countdown and asking music experts to give us their "next step" compositions.

Countdown Piece: Debussy's Arabesque No. 1 in E
Countdown Position: No. 10
For a next step: Try Selim Palmgren's Nocturne in Three Scenes for Piano No. 1, Op. 72(a) "The Stars Are Twinkling"
Choice by: Jenny Lin, pianist
Recordings available at Arkivmusic.com

If you enjoy Debussy's Arabesque No. 1 in E Major, what's a good next step? We turn to Jenny Lin, a pianist known for championing many unheralded composers and lesser-known works. She suggested the Nocturne in Three Scenes for Piano (No. 1: "The Stars Are Twinkling") by Finnish composer Selim Palmgren (1878-1951).

"Palmgren is sometimes called 'The Finnish Chopin,'" notes Lin. "And in Debussy's early works, one can definitely hear the influence of Chopin. Palmgren was a wonderful miniaturist who composed impressionistic works to evoke moods and nature. Like Debussy, he also enjoyed descriptive titles for his pieces."

Listen below to Lin's recording of the piece, due out in April:

 This month, WQXR is taking 30 pieces from the 2014 Classical Countdown and asking music experts to give us their "next step" compositions. Today: "The Stars Are Twinkling."