Fireflies touch

The performance challenge specific to Beach's Fireflies (Op. 15 No. 4): rapid, delicate repeated-note and broken figuration in both hands depicting the flickering light of fireflies. The entire piece must be played at the softest dynamic levels, very fast, with an almost weightless touch. It is technically demanding despite its brevity — the combination of speed, softness, and precision is unforgiving.

Play Fireflies from the surface of the key — minimal key depth, no arm weight, almost entirely finger-tip control. The hands must be relaxed at speed; any tension will cause the rapid figures to smear. Practise hands separately at a slow tempo with absolute evenness, then gradually increase speed while monitoring softness. Never let the dynamic rise above pp in performance.