Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky ： 2 Pieces Nocturne Op.10-1

Centered on a calm, songful melody, this nocturne unfolds with the warm lyricism of the Romantic style. In the opening, the right-hand melody should be shaped with natural breathing and a beautiful cantabile quality, while the left-hand accompaniment remains soft and discreet. Listen for the changes in expression and sonority in the middle section, and savor the sense of repose when the opening material returns. A broad sense of phrasing and carefully graded dynamics in response to the harmonic changes can create a performance that is serene yet deeply expressive.