Unlike the previous
Scènes, No 11 begins with a fast tune with two variations. The second, sad melody gives the piece its name. This melody was first published by the composer Josef Lanner in 1884. The piano accompaniment imitates the cimbalom with arpeggios and tremolos. Contrasting this mood, a short lively variation on the opening melody provides a basis for modulated alterations. It starts with a bowed note and a plucked chord. The further development uses mainly the second part of the motif and leads us to the final and rapid tune (overleaf). Its variation uses a steady, drone-like tone in both the instruments. A series of chords ends this
Scène.
from notes by Amnon Shaham © 2004
