18. Largamente con gravità

This prelude is marked Largamente con gravità at the beginning. While 'Largamente' is understandable, how should 'gravità' be translated? 'Gravità' has the meaning of 'seriously,' which is translated as 'serious' in English. In Japanese, it translates to 'solemn' or 'devout.' The meaning of 'solemn' is described as being serious, strict, earnest, and dignified. 'Devout' is defined as serving deities with reverence.

When these translations are overlaid with the musical atmosphere, the author perceives the imagined mood as 'immense' or 'religious.' Of course, these interpretations are flexible and do not necessarily have to be strictly adhered to. While this is a challenge left to the performer, it is certainly a mood far removed from light or fast. It is recommended to take ample time and express the music in a grandioso manner.

Now, let's discuss a few points regarding the notation. In measure 1, the notation might initially suggest a 5/4 time signature. In measure 1, the first right-hand chord is written as a dotted quarter note. This dotted quarter note chord, followed by the D-flat octave, accounts for two beats. Beats 3-4 are straightforward. The question then arises as to how the intervening 64th notes and 8th notes should be counted. Consider these as ornamental passages played during the duration of the initial dotted quarter note, before proceeding to the D-flat octave. This interpretation also makes sense for the following measure (measure 2). Measure 4, for instance, hardly looks like 3/4 time. The ornamental passage should be completed while sustaining the half-note chord written on the second beat. Taking measure 4 as an example, the half note appears on the second beat. The performer then plays the ornamental passage within the duration of two beats. The F at the high point of the ornamental passage should be played on the upbeat of beat 2, the G-flat on the downbeat of beat 3, and the subsequent 8th note F on the upbeat of beat 3. Please apply this approach to all subsequent instances.

However, one problem arises. This is in measure 12. This is because, if the aforementioned approach is strictly followed, this measure alone cannot be in 3/4 time. In fact, an explanation for this measure has yet to be determined. Nevertheless, since this measure is at least in 3/4 time, it should be played to fit within three beats, counting from the second beat. Can you observe the presence of a dotted eighth note within the ornamental passage of this measure? This is a note value that has not appeared before. Please lengthen this dotted eighth note to make it fit (so that it resolves within three beats).