This piece, conforming to the style of 16th-century German dance, is characterized by a solemn yet dance-like quality, evoking the footsteps of a dancer. Meanwhile, its bold harmonic writing and wide-ranging tessitura, almost sounding out of tune, already hint at stylistic elements found in later works such as Romeo and Juliet.

It was dedicated to Prokofiev's close friend, "Max" (Maximilian Schmiedhof, 1892–1913), who had appeared almost daily in Prokofiev's diary and who committed suicide by pistol in 1913, leaving a farewell letter to Prokofiev.