Fado - (Portuguese - "destiny; fate”)
This etude is entirely in the traditional Middle Eastern/Balkan mode (maqam) Mustaar and rhythmic pattern 2+2+2+3 (9/8 time signature), used in Bulgaria in the popular Daichovo Horo dance. It explores the interaction between a lush, flowing accompaniment rolling through both hands and an expressive, richly ornamented melody played in the middle range of the piano by the alternating hands, evoking the epic vocal melodies of the Bulgarian slow/unmetered songs.