Igor Fyodorovitch Stravinsky ： Three Movements from Petrushka Russian Dance

The opening movement of Three Movements from Petrushka, based on the ballet Petrushka, this is a dynamic work written for two pianos. Its strong forward drive and vivid rhythms evoke a Russian dance, while repeated short motives and sudden changes of character create a brilliant, percussive sound. The two pianos are not confined to fixed melodic and accompanimental roles; instead, they pass figures between one another to build a richly layered ensemble. In performance, it is important to balance sharp accents with a light, springy quality, keep the quick notes clear, and bring out the interplay of the individual voices. Rather than simply rushing forward, maintaining the rhythmic framework and the tension of the rests allows the music’s wild vitality to emerge.