Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky ： Reverie

This lyrical, introspective character piece suggests a quiet period of contemplation. A long-breathed melody sings over a gentle accompaniment, while changes in sonority and moments of tension create an expression of drifting through a dream. Rather than unfolding through large dramatic turns, the music changes its character naturally through the shifting melody and harmony. Its particular appeal lies in the shading of the main melody and the movement of inner voices concealed within the accompaniment. In performance, the melody should be fully supported without losing its sense of breath in quieter passages. The pedal should connect the sonorities without allowing them to become blurred, while careful attention to the direction of each phrase, delicate dynamic shading, and the lingering resonance will bring out the piece’s character.