🇷🇺Mily Alekseyevich Balakirev ： 30 Russian Folk Songs No.11 Razvoynik Brothers in d-moll

The eleventh piece in Balakirev’s collection of piano duets based on Russian folk songs, this work preserves the melody of its source song while expanding the musical texture through the ranges and roles of four hands. Focusing on which voice carries the melody, as well as on its overlap and exchange with the accompaniment, makes the musical flow easier to follow. In performance, the principal melody should be allowed to sing clearly while the other parts provide restrained support, with both players coordinating their breathing. Listening carefully to the changing sonorities of D minor and maintaining a steady pulse and clear phrase direction brings out both the folk-like simplicity and the richness unique to piano four-hand performance.