Movement I: From the Dawn to Noon on the Sea

Composed of five sections. The Introduction (mm. 1-30) begins with octave tremolos, followed by the first piano presenting a theme (rehearsal mark 1, mm. 12-16) that will be used in the third movement, gradually building in urgency. Section 1 (mm. 31-84), marked "Modéré, sans lenteur," introduces a theme in parallel fifths in the first piano's right hand, which then develops into a climax at m. 76 (five measures after rehearsal mark 8) before subsiding. Section 2 (mm. 85 / rehearsal mark 9-122) begins rhythmically with both hands of the first piano in unison, building tension to form a second climax at ff (rehearsal mark 11, m. 106) before subsiding again. Following a transitional passage (mm. 123-132), the Coda (mm. 133-142) sees the theme from Section 1 return with vigor, establishing a third climax at fff.