Composer

:

Charles-Valentin Alkan

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Character Piece

Compose Date

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before 1840

Publication Date

:

1840

Les Mois (12), morceaux caractéristiques, Op. 74 is a set of twelve character pieces for solo piano composed by Charles-Valentin Alkan. The work was composed in 1857 and premiered the same year in Paris. Each piece is dedicated to a specific month of the year and captures the mood and atmosphere of that particular month. The twelve movements of Les Mois are as follows: 1. January: The work begins with a somber and melancholic piece that captures the cold and dark atmosphere of winter. The piece is marked by slow, mournful melodies and a sense of longing. 2. February: This movement is marked by a lively and playful character, with quick, staccato rhythms and a sense of energy and movement. 3. March: The third movement is marked by a sense of anticipation and excitement, with a fast-paced, virtuosic melody that captures the energy of spring. 4. April: This movement is marked by a sense of joy and celebration, with a bright, cheerful melody that captures the beauty of springtime. 5. May: The fifth movement is marked by a sense of serenity and calm, with a slow, peaceful melody that captures the tranquility of spring. 6. June: This movement is marked by a sense of passion and intensity, with a fast-paced, virtuosic melody that captures the energy of summer. 7. July: The seventh movement is marked by a sense of nostalgia and longing, with a slow, mournful melody that captures the heat and languor of summer. 8. August: This movement is marked by a sense of celebration and joy, with a bright, cheerful melody that captures the beauty of summer. 9. September: The ninth movement is marked by a sense of melancholy and reflection, with a slow, mournful melody that captures the changing of the seasons. 10. October: This movement is marked by a sense of mystery and intrigue, with a dark, brooding melody that captures the atmosphere of autumn. 11. November: The eleventh movement is marked by a sense of sadness and loss, with a slow, mournful melody that captures the fading of the year. 12. December: This movement is marked by a sense of celebration and joy, with a bright, cheerful melody that captures the beauty of winter. Overall, Les Mois is a masterful work that captures the changing moods and atmospheres of the year. Alkan's use of melody, harmony, and rhythm is highly expressive and evocative, and the work is a testament to his skill as a composer and pianist.

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