The plan for the three orchestral Nocturnes took a long time to mature: Debussy first alluded to them as 'Three evening scenes' in a letter dated September 1892. Two years later the work was already referred to as a concerto, which would have been written for the renowned violinist, Ysaye. In the end, however, it was the original idea which meterialised.

According to notes on the composer's manusript the detailed elaboration of the Nocturnes took two years: 'Composé de décembre 1897 á décem...