Bartók Béla Viktor János ： For Children Vol.1 No.25 Parlando BB 53 Sz 42

As its title suggests, “Parlando” is a miniature marked by natural, speech-like inflection rather than a melody that is simply sung out. Its concise phrases unfold in succession, and attentive listening to the spaces between each unit and to the melody’s subtle changes reveals a plain yet distinctive sense of tension. In performance, avoid placing the notes mechanically and instead bring out slight shifts of weight that suggest the accents of spoken language. Keep the pulse steady without rushing, shape rests and the ends of note values carefully, and keep accompanimental notes subdued so that the melodic voice remains clear; this allows the work’s concise structure and changes of expression to emerge.