Prelude, Song, and Dance

Listen

Prelude

Song

Dance

Notes from the editor:

Pedals have been written in a more practical way than in the manuscript, mostly in a rhythmical and logical place; the right foot above the left; where there is a square around the pedal mark, it means that it should be played with the ‘other’ foot.

Metronome markings were not written originally in the manuscript but added in pencil at some point later when the work received its première; the editor found that slightly different, generally faster, tempi would be more effective and suggested also some practical solutions to tempo changes. As they were in very light pencil, clearly added later and sometimes by different hands, they referred in my opinion to a performance and what speed might be possible with specific players and acoustics of the concert hall in question. They are definitely not part of the original score, and I therefore felt comfortable to keep to my suggestions. In any case, tempi, and to a degree dynamics, can be a matter of personal preference.
Dynamics are exactly as John marked them in the score. In some places slightly softer dynamics (or different dynamics in separate parts) might work better in my opinion, but that is an entirely personal choice and I would not dare change them. I recorded this work with Trinity Laban students in 2020; by listening to the recording one can refer to what they hear in our version.

I hope you will enjoy learning and performing this beautiful work and give joy to many audiences with it!

-Gabriella Dall’Olio.

The first recording was made on 30th November 2020 at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London. Gabriella Dall’Olio played the principal part together with current Trinity Laban students Laura Marquino-Falgueras, Gloria Rappo, Chloe Kousmerr-Kerr, Imogen Emmett, Xinji We, released in 2022 on Da Vinci Records.