Elegy: Poco Adagio, D-flat major, 3/4 time. This is a character piece typical of the Romantic era, standing out within the collection of etudes in the style of a classical suite. Alongside the “Prélude,” it is emotionally rich music with thick harmonic layers created by arpeggiated chords, likely representing the music Saint-Saëns most wished to convey in this collection of etudes. The section where expanding harmonies create a crescendo and tension, preparing the mournful opening theme, achieves an even more intense and dramatic effect thanks to the concise notes played by one hand. The middle section modulates from A major to F major, taking on a resolute expression as if severing ties, before the original theme returns.