Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart ： Funeral March in c-moll, K.453a

This short piece, with the character of a minuet, is imbued with the dark shading and restrained sorrow of C minor. While suggesting the heavy tread appropriate to its title, Funeral March, it maintains a poised and well-organized rhythmic flow. Listeners should attend to the contrasts between its sections and to changes of expression when the same material returns, while keeping the overall unity in mind. In performance, the melody should be shaped with depth, while the inner voices and accompaniment remain discreetly balanced; the rhythmic tread and rests should not be blurred. Use the pedal carefully to avoid clouding the sound, and preserve a quiet tension so that the piece’s poignancy and dignity emerge despite its brevity.