Alkan, Charles-Valentin : 25 préludes dans tous les tons majeurs et mineurs Op.31
Work Overview
First Publisher：Brandus
Instrumentation：Piano Solo
Genre：prelude
Total Playing Time：1 hr 01 min 00 sec
Copyright：Public Domain
Commentary (1)
Author : Ueda, Yasushi
Last Updated: November 20, 2014
[Open]
Author : Ueda, Yasushi
Publication: Paris, Brandus et Cie, 1847
Dedication: Madame James Odier
"Prelude" originally referred to an improvisatory "finger exercise" piece or the act of playing it, performed prior to another musical work, a genre that developed in the fields of lute and keyboard instruments. In the 19th century, independent collections of preludes, unified by a regular key sequence, began to be written, such as those by Hummel and Chopin. Alkan's collection of preludes also lies within this trend, but it is based on its own unique key sequencing plan. Major and minor keys are arranged alternately; major keys progress from C major → D-flat major → D major, etc., while minor keys similarly ascend chromatically from F minor. As a result, E minor is reached in the 24th piece, but the entire collection is framed by a return to the opening C major at the end.
No. 1: Lentement (Slowly), C major
A chorale-like miniature that opens 25 Preludes. Bring out the melody placed in the inner voice of the right hand, and sufficiently emphasize the contrast between measures 5-6 and the surrounding sections.
No. 8: "The Song of the Madwoman on the Seashore," Lentement (Slowly), A-flat minor
"Heroine's madness" was a central element in 19th-century opera (e.g., Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor, Act III). The same accompaniment and melodic figures are repeated as if obsessed.
No. 9: "Peace," Tranquillement (Quietly), E major
A piece reminiscent of Haydn-esque chamber music. Be aware that the three voices are independent parts. "Despite its tranquil appearance, it harbors passion within" is a comment by the Belgian scholar F.-J. Fétis (1784–1871), whom Alkan respected.
No. 23: Assez vite (Quite fast), B major
A remarkably bright and lively piece within the collection. It features a vocal-style melody as its main theme, with a secondary melody added in the middle section. Pay close attention to the chromatic inner voice movement in the recapitulation of the theme.
No. 22: "Anniversary," Assez lentement (Quite slowly), E-flat minor - E-flat major
The slow dotted rhythm in duple meter suggests a funeral march. Perhaps it should rather be called a "Day of Mourning." Characteristically, it forms a pair with the lively No. 23, but here the order has been reversed to consider the overall flow. It can also be seen as an echo of the Marche funèbre, Op. 26 (1846), published the previous year.
No. 25: "Prayer," Lentement (Slowly), C major
A four-voice chorale that concludes the collection. The main melody is placed in the middle register, occasionally conversing with other voices. Since the four voices are, so to speak, separate parts of a choir, be fully aware not only of the vertical harmony but also of the horizontal movement of each voice.
Movements (25)
Dans le genre ancien, Très lentement Op.31-3
Key: Des-Dur Total Performance Time: 3 min 30 sec
Prière du soir, Assez lentement Op.31-4
Key: fis-moll Total Performance Time: 2 min 00 sec
Pasume 150e, Avec enthousiasme Op.31-5
Key: D-Dur Total Performance Time: 2 min 30 sec
Ancienne melodie de la synagogue, Andante flebile Op.31-6
Key: g-moll Total Performance Time: 4 min 30 sec
Librement mais sans secousses Op.31-7
Key: Es-Dur Total Performance Time: 1 min 30 sec
La chanson de la folle au bord la mer, lentement Op.31-8
Key: as-moll Total Performance Time: 4 min 30 sec
Placiditas, Tranquillement Op.31-9
Key: E-Dur Total Performance Time: 2 min 30 sec
Dan le style fugue, Très vite Op.31-10
Key: a-moll Total Performance Time: 1 min 00 sec
Un petit rien, Assez vite Op.31-11
Key: F-Dur Total Performance Time: 1 min 00 sec
Le temps qui n'est plus Op.31-12
Key: b-moll Total Performance Time: 1 min 30 sec
J'etais endormie mais mon coeur veillait..., Lentement Op.31-13
Key: Ges-Dur Total Performance Time: 4 min 30 sec
Dans le genre gothique, Assez vite et avec beaucoup de grâce Op.31-15
Key: G-Dur Total Performance Time: 2 min 30 sec
Rêve d'amour, assez vite Op.31-17
Key: As-Dur Total Performance Time: 2 min 30 sec
Romance, Sans trop de mouvement Op.31-18
Key: cis-moll Total Performance Time: 4 min 00 sec
Modérément vite et bien caractérisé Op.31-20
Key: d-moll Total Performance Time: 1 min 30 sec
Anniversaire, Assez vite Op.31-22
Key: es-moll Total Performance Time: 3 min 30 sec
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