Composer

:

Charles-Valentin Alkan

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1859

Publication Date

:

1859

Average_duration

:

3:58

Charles-Valentin Alkan was a French composer and pianist of the Romantic era. He was known for his virtuosic piano compositions and his eccentric personality. One of his lesser-known works is the "Petit conte in E flat major," which was composed in 1844. The "Petit conte" is a short piano piece that consists of three movements. The first movement is marked "Allegro moderato" and is in E flat major. It begins with a lively and playful melody that is passed between the hands. The middle section of the movement is more subdued and features a lyrical melody in the right hand accompanied by arpeggios in the left hand. The movement ends with a return to the opening theme. The second movement is marked "Andante con moto" and is in C minor. It begins with a melancholy melody in the right hand accompanied by a simple chord progression in the left hand. The middle section of the movement features a more complex melody that is passed between the hands. The movement ends with a return to the opening theme. The third movement is marked "Allegro vivace" and is in E flat major. It begins with a fast and energetic melody that is played in octaves in the right hand. The middle section of the movement features a more lyrical melody that is played in the left hand while the right hand plays arpeggios. The movement ends with a return to the opening theme. Overall, the "Petit conte" is a charming and whimsical piece that showcases Alkan's skill as a composer and pianist. The piece is relatively simple compared to some of Alkan's more virtuosic works, but it still contains moments of technical difficulty and musical complexity. The piece premiered in 1844 and remains a relatively obscure work in Alkan's oeuvre.

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