Minuet in D major

A gentle surface with moving inner voices

The opening is marked dolce, yet its quiet chordal surface contains chromatic movement that needs careful listening. Contrasts of loud and soft, together with more flowing notes later on, broaden the minuet’s range. Alicia de Larrocha’s preserved working copy includes this piece among scores annotated for performance, a useful reminder that a short dance can require detailed preparation.

At the keyboard

Begin by finding the moving note inside each chord while keeping the upper line audible. Practise holding one part as another changes, choosing hand movements that do not break the phrase. Then compare the written dynamic contrasts without making the louder passages harsh. Keep the dance’s three-beat movement underneath the changing colour.

Music in this edition

1. Minuet in D major