Mily Alekseyevich Balakirev ： Scherzo No.2 in b-moll

This scherzo is marked by a sharp rhythmic character and brilliant virtuosity, combining light, springing motion with strong accents and rapid scale and arpeggio passages. A key attraction is the contrast between the energetic main material and calmer sections of a different character, with the return of the main material heightening the sense of tension. In performance, it is important to keep the rapid passagework clear and even without allowing the tempo to run away, while maintaining a steady left-hand rhythm. Accents should be sharply defined without making the sound too hard, and careful attention to melodic handoffs and dynamic changes brings out the work’s wit and forward momentum.