Preludes, Op. 31 (Alkan)
Piano compositions by Charles-Valentin Alkan
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Charles-Valentin Alkan wrote his Preludes, Op. 31 for solo piano or organ in 1844 and they were published in 1847. These preludes span all 24 major and minor keys, plus an additional 25th prelude in C major.[1]
The Preludes, Op. 31
- Lentement, C major
- Assez lentement, F minor
- Dans le genre ancien, D♭ major
- Prière du soir, F♯ minor
- Psaume 150me, D major
- Ancienne mélodie de la synagogue, G minor
- Librement mais sans secousses, E♭ major
- La chanson de la folle au bord de la mer, A♭ minor
- Placiditas, E major
- Dans le style fugué, A minor
- Un petit rien, F major
- Le temps qui n'est plus, B♭ minor
- J'étais endormie, mais mon cœur veillait, G♭ major
- Rapidement, B minor
- Dans le genre gothique, G major
- Assez lentement, C minor
- Rêve d'amour, A♭ major
- Sans trop de mouvement, C♯ minor
- Prière du matin, A major
- Modérément vite et bien caractérisé, D minor
- Doucement, B♭ major
- Anniversaire, E♭ minor
- Assez vite, B major
- Étude de vélocité, E minor
- Prière, C major
Reception
Alkan's contemporary François-Joseph Fétis cautioned critics and the public not to compare Op. 31 with the works of Chopin:
We must not expect to find in this artist's volume of preludes a flurry of fast notes by means of which certain pianists presage the skill before the performance of a piece. Alkan is a person of heart and mind; his preludes are dream-like which conceal a very calculated and finished art form.[2]
