Gillock is so very specific about how these little miniatures are to be played. I had to play this one quite a few times to follow all his road signs to a comprehensive reading. Ritardando vs. ritenuto, dolce vs. pianissimo — it all makes a better performance, even though we usually don’t think of some of these pairs as being so very different. And those surprise fermati in the penultimate measure, followed by yikes! a lento on what are usually fast grace notes. I notice also in this book how many times he indicates a pedal for a staccato! He surely means us to strike the key as if we are striking a bell, bouncing lightly off the key, but with the pedal down to carry the sound. It creates a bright golden impression, rather than the more burnished sound of striking and holding the key along with the pedal, and I appreciate his sensitivity to the change in tone.
GRACE 1/7: I am really enjoying these little pieces! They are very fun to read and yet they carry so much intention.
HELEN 1/7: Yes, they do carry so much intention. A nice way of putting it!