Composer

:

Mily Balakirev

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Nocturne

Compose Date

:

1902

Publication Date

:

1902

Average_duration

:

6:49

Mily Balakirev's Nocturne for piano No. 3 in D minor was composed in 1864 and premiered the same year in St. Petersburg. The piece is divided into three movements, with the first and third being in D minor and the second in D major. The first movement begins with a melancholic and introspective melody played in the right hand, accompanied by a simple arpeggiated pattern in the left hand. The melody is then repeated with slight variations, building in intensity and complexity as the piece progresses. The middle section of the movement features a more lively and rhythmic theme, which is then developed and combined with the opening melody in the final section. The second movement is a brief interlude in D major, providing a contrast to the somber mood of the first and third movements. It features a delicate and playful melody, with a light and airy accompaniment. The third movement returns to the melancholic mood of the first, with a more complex and virtuosic piano part. The opening melody is played in octaves, with a more elaborate accompaniment in the left hand. The middle section features a more agitated and dramatic theme, which is then combined with the opening melody in the final section. Overall, Balakirev's Nocturne for piano No. 3 in D minor is characterized by its introspective and melancholic mood, as well as its virtuosic piano writing. The piece showcases Balakirev's skill as a composer and pianist, and remains a popular work in the piano repertoire.

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