The first movement is composed based on the "Zortziko," a traditional dance from the Basque region, his mother's homeland. According to the composer, "while common Zortzikos are written in 5/4 time, older Zortzikos were in 8/8 time (8/8 time, divided as 5+3), and I based this on the latter."

Traces of this fusion of 5/8 and 3/8 time can be found in the placement of staccatos in the opening motif. (Musical Example 2)

(Musical Example 2 / First Movement, Opening)

Written in sonata form, the movement achieves overall unity by scattering the first and second themes, with their note values halved or doubled, throughout various sections.

Although the movement itself is in A minor, the concluding section, marked "lointain (distant, vaguely)" in the piano part, modulates to the parallel major, C major, and ends as if fading into the distance. (Musical Example 3)

(Musical Example 3 / First Movement, Rehearsal Mark 13)