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 décembre 1899'. Only the first two movements were played at the first performance in Paris on 9th December 1900. The complete work was performed on 27th October 1901. Although the full score appeared in print as early as 1900, Debussy made a number of substantial changes in the orchestration during the years that followed, only the much later, in 1930 published version may be regarded as the final one which forms the basis of the present edition.