Mily Alekseyevich Balakirev ： Mazurka No.2 in cis-moll first version

Balakirev’s Mazurka No. 2 in C-sharp minor, first version, unfolds on the characteristic triple-meter step of the mazurka, contrasting sharp accents with singing melodic lines. In the main section, it is important to maintain the dance-like momentum while listening closely to the expression of the melody and changes in harmony. In the more contrasting passages, the shifts in atmosphere should be presented carefully without disturbing the overall flow. Keep the left-hand accompaniment from becoming too heavy, and avoid making the accents sound mechanical; balancing a light sense of lift with subtle shading brings out the character of the piece. Read the first-version score attentively, refining the details while preserving a natural sense of breath.