🇺🇸Samuel Barber ： Excursions Op.20-2

The second piece of Barber’s Excursions incorporates the language of the blues into a classical piano setting, unfolding at a relaxed tempo. Above the steady pulse created by the left-hand bass and chords, the right-hand melody proceeds in a speech-like manner, while syncopations and subtle accents add a distinctive sway. Repetition provides the foundation, yet changes in register and texture create a progression in which simplicity and refinement meet. In performance, avoid making the beat overly mechanical; instead, remain aware of the characteristic space and weight of the blues while allowing the melody to emerge clearly. Balancing the inner voices and accompaniment, and shaping the dynamics without exaggeration, helps preserve the piece’s natural, expressive character.