Composer

:

Charles-Valentin Alkan

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1867

Publication Date

:

1867

Average_duration

:

46:51

Movement_count

:

11

Movement ....

Charles-Valentin Alkan's "Pièces (11) dans le style religieux et transcription de Messie de Haendel, Op. 72" is a collection of eleven pieces for solo piano, composed in 1859. The work is a transcription of Handel's Messiah, a famous oratorio composed in the 18th century. Alkan's transcription is unique in that it is not a direct transcription of the entire work, but rather a selection of movements arranged in a new order. The premiere of the work is not well-documented, but it is believed to have been performed by Alkan himself in a private concert in Paris. The work was not published until after Alkan's death in 1888, and it remains one of his lesser-known works. The eleven movements of the work are arranged in three sections, each corresponding to a different part of Handel's Messiah. The first section includes three movements from Part I of the oratorio: "And the Glory of the Lord," "For Unto Us a Child is Born," and "Glory to God." The second section includes four movements from Part II: "Hallelujah," "He Shall Feed His Flock," "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth," and "Worthy is the Lamb." The final section includes four movements from Part III: "Since by Man Came Death," "But Thanks Be to God," "If God Be for Us," and "Amen." Alkan's transcription of Handel's Messiah is notable for its virtuosic piano writing, which showcases the technical abilities of the performer. The work also features a wide range of musical styles, from the grandeur of the "Hallelujah" chorus to the delicate beauty of "He Shall Feed His Flock." Alkan's use of chromaticism and unconventional harmonies adds a unique flavor to the work, while still remaining faithful to Handel's original music. Overall, "Pièces (11) dans le style religieux et transcription de Messie de Haendel, Op. 72" is a fascinating and challenging work for solo piano, showcasing Alkan's skill as a composer and pianist. While it may not be as well-known as some of his other works, it remains an important contribution to the repertoire of piano music.

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