night music
/ˈnʌɪt mjuːzɪk/noun
1Music heard, or intended to be played, at night. Frequently figurative, especially with reference to the sound of insects.
- Sometimes translating German Nachtmusik (17th cent.), especially with allusion to the title ‘Eine kleine Nachtmusik’ of Mozart's serenade K525 (1787)..
2Specifically. Music which evokes the sounds made by birds, insects, etc., at night.
- Associated chiefly with the music of Béla Bartók, probably originally with allusion to the title Az éjszaka zenéje (‘The Night's Music’) of the fourth movement of his suite for piano Szabadban (‘Out of Doors’) published in 1927..
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in James Kirke Paulding (1778–1860). From night + music.