Nikolai Kapustin ： Concert Etude Dream Op.40-2

Kapustin’s “Dream” is a concert etude distinguished by jazz-influenced harmony and a dreamy, lyrical melody. The melody seems to float above a flowing accompaniment, while rhythmic flexibility and harmonic color create a distinctive sense of suspension. The piece unfolds as a continuous flow, changing its character along the way; highlights include shaping the melody expressively and bringing out the movement of the inner voices and accompaniment. In performance, the intricate rhythms should not be treated mechanically: it is important to preserve the underlying pulse while allowing for natural flexibility. Pedaling should follow the harmonic changes without clouding the sonority, and the melody’s direction and sense of perspective should remain clear amid the brilliant passagework, bringing out the work’s delicate dreamlike quality.