🇷🇺Sergei Rachmaninov ： Fragments As-Dur (1917)

Within its brief duration, this character piece concentrates Rachmaninov’s long-breathed lyricism and refined harmonic sensibility. Rather than unfolding through a large-scale development, it follows a single lyrical idea, gradually leading toward a lingering close through subtle changes in the shading of the melody and accompaniment. Highlights include the natural breathing of the principal melody, the changing colors in the inner voices, and the way the sonority quietly dissolves at the end. In performance, keep the melody fully singing without allowing the accompaniment to become heavy, and listen carefully to each harmonic change. Use the pedal not only to connect the sonorities but also to avoid blurring, while giving thoughtful attention to the shaping of pauses.