Within ten days of his letter to Jaeger, Elgar sent Novello's a short piece for violin and piano which he called Evensong. In the event, believing that French titles sold better, they published it as Chanson de Nuit. Elgar no doubt regarded it as little more than a pot boiler, a quick way of earning much need. In March 1899, shortly after completing the orchestration of the Enigma Variations, Elgar sent Novello's a companion piece to Evensong: Chanson de Matin. In January 1901, Elgar sent Novello's orchestral arrangements of the two works. This helped accelerate their rising popularity and it is in this form that they are usually heard today.
The orchestral version of the work was first performed, together with Chanson de Matin, at a Queen's Hall Promenade Concert conducted by Henry Wood on 14 September 1901. Chanson de Nuit is dedicated to F. Ehrke, violinist in the Worcester Philharmonic Orchestra.