William L. Gillock ： Children’s Album No.4 Valse Triste

This short piece is marked by a wistful melody and the gentle sway of a waltz rhythm. Rather than emphasizing brilliance, it focuses on introspective feeling, creating a quiet sense of tension through the contrast between melody and accompaniment. The music seems to unfold through a succession of short sections whose character gradually changes, and the way the melody is shaped when it comes to the fore is one of its chief attractions. In performance, keep the left-hand accompaniment light and controlled so that the right-hand melody can emerge clearly. Avoid making the rhythm mechanical, and connect the phrases with natural breathing. Even restrained dynamic changes should be treated carefully; using the pedal only where the sound remains clear allows the delicate beauty within the sadness to come through.