Alkan, Charles-Valentin : Saltarelle e-moll Op.23
Work Overview
First Publisher:Bureau Central de Musique
Dedicated to:Madmoiselle Elisa Poussielgue
Instrumentation:Piano Solo
Genre:other dances
Total Playing Time:3 min 15 sec
Copyright:Public Domain
Commentary (1)
Author : Wada, Mayuko
Last Updated: April 1, 2008
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Author : Wada, Mayuko
Composed in 1844. In 6/8 time, E minor, Prestissimo. The performance duration is approximately 3 minutes 30 seconds. Although the score appears visually simple, performing it at the designated speed is quite challenging. Triplets are consistently played from beginning to end. The same passages are repeated, with gradual ornamentation added, enhancing the piece's brilliance. As there are many repeated notes, careful fingering will likely be necessary.
The middle section is in A major. It is played extremely delicately, pp. In contrast to the preceding sections where vertical articulation was emphasized, the right hand features a single large slur, playing the passage very smoothly. The left hand clearly marks the beat, utilizing the deep bass notes, giving the piece momentum. This builds up with large leaps and accents, becoming ff, and resonating with a brilliant timbre in the high register. Returning to E minor, the piece rapidly accelerates, concluding brilliantly with fff.
Although its recognition is low, it combines brilliance and enjoyment, making it an ideal piece for encores, among other uses.