Mily Alekseyevich Balakirev ： 30 Russian Folk Songs No.14 Without Feathers in d-moll

This piece sets a Russian folk melody for piano four hands. Its appeal lies in the simple, songlike melody and the calm flow of the accompaniment that supports it. The shape of the melodic phrases and changes in the accompaniment provide useful clues for understanding the music’s progression. In performance, the melody should be allowed to sing while the players carefully balance the volume and tone of the primo and secondo parts and coordinate their breathing. Avoiding an overly heavy accompaniment and preserving a natural, folk-like manner of expression will bring the character of the melody to life.