By Philip Johnston
This beautiful and delicate waltz brings to mind the swirls on the ice left by the blades of an ice skater. With this image in mind, students should be able to execute the lyrical melody with finesse. The melody, written in cantabile style, is found throughout the piece in the right hand. The left hand accompaniment begins first with single notes, with the first note of each measure moving down one half step. Left hand harmonies are filled in as the piece progresses. Though written in C major, there are numerous accidentals throughout. The liberal use of ritardandos creates a rubato give and take to the piece, which aids in developing a romantic style of playing in teenage and adult students.