According to Prokofiev himself, this piece is an arrangement of a Gavotte he wrote in Lyadov's class in 1908. The well-balanced and restrained main section embodies classical beauty, and Prokofiev's skill is fully demonstrated in the nuances arising from the ornaments and harmonic colors. In the trio, the key shifts to G major, and a somewhat calmer musical idea is presented, but the chromatic progression in the inner voices casts a shadow over the music.

It was dedicated to his fellow student and pianist, Boris Stepanovich Zakharov (1887–1943), known as "Boryusha," who later visited Japan and eventually taught at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.