William L. Gillock ： Blue Butterfly

This short piece by Gillock is marked by light, graceful movement. Its music suggests the image of a butterfly fluttering through the air, while its expressive appeal lies in the clarity of each note and the flow of the phrases. Listening closely to the shape of each phrase and to the balance between melody and accompaniment helps bring out its character. The right-hand melody should be sung with a supple touch, while the left hand provides discreet support and maintains the rhythmic flow. Avoid rushing the smaller movements, and shape the dynamic changes carefully to create both a transparent, lively quality and moments that seem to pause briefly. Rather than simply playing the notes evenly, performers should remain aware of where each phrase is heading.