“Allegretto malinconico” is a three-page piece in 6/8 time, A minor, and free form. Drawing upon traditional dance forms, the primary challenge lies not only in expressively articulating the melancholic melody but also in precisely apprehending the frequent chromatic progressions within a restricted registral range, including the inner voices, and in achieving the utmost variety in harmony and nuance. It is also advisable to perform this piece in conjunction with “Saltarello”, which was published concurrently.