A particular focus when writing this, the first of three Bagatelles for 'cello and piano, was to transform and use the opening material so that the entire piece was rooted in the two strands that make up the first page – the shifting rhythmic passage in the piano and the 'cello line that enters a few bars later. These two elements provide the basis of the movement, appearing in various guises.

The piece opens with an exploration of regularly changing time signatures, pitting a staccato accompaniment in the piano against a melodic line on the 'cello. The two instruments eventually swap roles, with the 'cello playing the staccato motif pizzicato. As the piece progresses, a B natural in the bass intrudes from time to time, undermining the key of F major/D minor. This eventually leads to a change in key to D major/B minor. In the central Largo section, the 'cello takes the staccato motif and develops it into a lyrical interlude. The movement returns with a version of the staccato motif before closing with a brief echo of the 'cello's lyrical line.