Composer

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Charles-Valentin Alkan

Genre

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Keyboard

Style

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Keyboard

Compose Date

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1868

Publication Date

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1868

Charles-Valentin Alkan's 'Recueil de Chants Book 4 (6), Op. 67' is a collection of six pieces for solo piano. The collection was composed in 1857 and premiered in the same year. The six pieces are titled 'Le chemin de fer', 'La chanson de la folle au bord de la mer', 'Mazurka', 'Le tambour bat aux champs', 'Nocturne', and 'Marche funèbre'. The first piece, 'Le chemin de fer', is a programmatic piece that depicts the sounds and movements of a train. The piece is characterized by its fast and rhythmic passages, which imitate the sound of a train's wheels on the tracks. The second piece, 'La chanson de la folle au bord de la mer', is a melancholic and introspective piece that features a haunting melody and a slow, mournful tempo. The third piece, 'Mazurka', is a lively and energetic dance in triple meter. The piece is characterized by its syncopated rhythms and its use of chromaticism. The fourth piece, 'Le tambour bat aux champs', is a military march that features a driving rhythm and a strong sense of forward momentum. The fifth piece, 'Nocturne', is a lyrical and introspective piece that features a beautiful melody and a slow, dreamy tempo. The piece is characterized by its use of rubato and its delicate, nuanced phrasing. The final piece, 'Marche funèbre', is a somber and mournful piece that features a slow, funeral march tempo and a solemn melody. Overall, 'Recueil de Chants Book 4 (6), Op. 67' is a diverse and engaging collection of pieces that showcases Alkan's versatility as a composer. The collection features a range of moods and styles, from the energetic and rhythmic 'Le chemin de fer' to the introspective and melancholic 'La chanson de la folle au bord de la mer'. The collection is a testament to Alkan's skill as a composer and his ability to create music that is both technically challenging and emotionally expressive.

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