Op. 32 No. 1

true that the F sharp major middle section does not seriously disturb the atmosphere, in spite of the minor harmonies that are touched on here and there. But, even though a suitable transition is set up no fewer than three times, the opening theme never returns. Instead, just at the point where it seems that at last it will, a quietly sinister drum beat intervenes at the bottom of an alien chord. A brief but dramatic protest cannot prevent the unhappy B minor ending.