Composer

:

Charles-Valentin Alkan

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Prelude

Compose Date

:

1847

Publication Date

:

Apr 17, 1847

Average_duration

:

2:15

'J'étais endormie, mais mon coeur veillait' is a piano piece in G flat major, Op.31/13, composed by Charles-Valentin Alkan. It was composed in 1847 and premiered in the same year. The piece is part of Alkan's set of 25 preludes, Op.31, which are considered some of his most important works. The piece is in ternary form, with a slow and dreamy opening section followed by a faster and more agitated middle section. The opening section is marked 'Lentement' and is characterized by a gentle, flowing melody in the right hand accompanied by a simple, repetitive pattern in the left hand. The middle section, marked 'Plus animé', is more virtuosic and features rapid arpeggios and cascading runs in both hands. The title of the piece, 'J'étais endormie, mais mon coeur veillait', is taken from the Song of Solomon in the Bible and translates to 'I was asleep, but my heart was awake'. The piece is often interpreted as a musical representation of a dream, with the opening section representing a peaceful slumber and the middle section representing a turbulent and unsettling dream. Alkan was known for his virtuosic piano writing and 'J'étais endormie, mais mon coeur veillait' is no exception. The piece requires a high level of technical skill, particularly in the middle section, which features rapid octave runs and complex chordal passages. Overall, 'J'étais endormie, mais mon coeur veillait' is a beautiful and haunting piece of music that showcases Alkan's skill as a composer and pianist. Its dreamlike quality and virtuosic writing make it a challenging but rewarding piece for pianists to perform.

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