20. Andantino Semplice

This is a very profound piece, evoking the image of a funeral.

• Accompanied by an eerie bass accompaniment, a poignant song expressing sorrow for death begins from the third beat of measure 4.
• From the third beat of measure 8 to measure 12, this is a comforting song, revealing Kabalevsky's gentle side. Play it with ample expressiveness, as if singing.
• In measure 13, the descending ornaments depict falling tears. Below, the eerie bass creates a funereal atmosphere.
• From measure 16, this is the section where two elements, the sad song and tears, converge. Be careful that the ornaments do not disrupt the clarity or flow of the melody.
• From measure 20, a canon appears, delayed by four measures, but since the melody line is considered to be the singing part (the eighth notes), the quarter notes in the other voice should be played more softly to maintain balance.
• From measure 28 onwards, this expresses sorrow, but it is a section where the emotional state is quite disturbed. In measure 34, the numerous minor seconds and major sevenths represent this emotional turmoil. Always play forte, expressing it to the fullest.
• Measures 36-39. Many composers depict human weeping with chromaticism, and this is no exception. Although the left-hand melody line itself is not chromatic, the A natural clashes with the B in the right hand. Play the left hand with ample expressiveness, as if singing.
• In measure 40, the piece returns to the A section, but in addition to the bass octaves, an inner voice is added. Crescendo the inner voice to express heightened emotion.
• In measure 48, tears are depicted once again.
• In measure 52, the C on the second beat is tied to the end of the piece, but since a staccato is written on the third beat, sustain the C played by the right hand with your finger, immediately switch to the left hand, and play the chord staccato. Ensure that the C is not released during this process.
• In measure 53, on the first beat, play a short staccato chord with both hands, and then determine the volume of the C, taking into account that the C from measure 49 is still resonating.