Bartók Béla Viktor János ： For Children Vol.3 No.58 Lament BB 53 Sz 42

“Lament” is a short character piece that condenses a deeply subdued emotional movement into a compact span. A simple melody emerges like a voice, while changes in register and sonority bring together a sense of hesitation and an almost pleading quality. Rather than aiming for dramatic effect, the piece rewards careful attention to the direction of each phrase and to the spaces between them. Let the melody sing while keeping the accompaniment restrained, and allow rests and resonances to unfold without haste; this brings out an inward expression suited to the title. Use the pedal sparingly and change it carefully with the harmony so that the sound does not become blurred. The performance calls for an awareness of the contrast between weight and stillness in the sound, rather than a display of virtuosity.