C.V.Alkan - Le chemin de fer, Op.27
By yN
The exercise Le chemin de fer, Étude pour Piano, Op. 27b, is an exercise for piano composed by Charles-Valentin Alkan. Op. 27a is given to the piano piece Triumphal March ("Marche triomphale").
Composed in 1844 and published in the same year along with several older works (Op. 22-26).
D minor, 2/4 time, Vivacissimamente (extremely lively). The performance time is approximately 5 minutes when played at the tempo as specified.
The piece begins with a rapid passage on an ostinato in the left hand, which imitates the movement of a steam engine. The ostinato in A lasts for 52 bars from the beginning (with the exception of one bar). The 16th-note passage continues to be played throughout the entire 509-measure work, and this idea of an unimpeded movement at the extreme speed of bifurcation = 112 is carried over into later works such as As if by the Wind.
The next beautiful theme, which appears in B flat major, is said to express the joy of the passengers' journey. This is followed by a description of a steam whistle in high-pitched octaves, and other vivid scene changes reflecting the scene from the train window. The coda gradually becomes coarser in tone value, and the whistle blows again, indicating that the train has arrived at the station.
Composed in 1844 and published in the same year along with several older works (Op. 22-26).
D minor, 2/4 time, Vivacissimamente (extremely lively). The performance time is approximately 5 minutes when played at the tempo as specified.
The piece begins with a rapid passage on an ostinato in the left hand, which imitates the movement of a steam engine. The ostinato in A lasts for 52 bars from the beginning (with the exception of one bar). The 16th-note passage continues to be played throughout the entire 509-measure work, and this idea of an unimpeded movement at the extreme speed of bifurcation = 112 is carried over into later works such as As if by the Wind.
The next beautiful theme, which appears in B flat major, is said to express the joy of the passengers' journey. This is followed by a description of a steam whistle in high-pitched octaves, and other vivid scene changes reflecting the scene from the train window. The coda gradually becomes coarser in tone value, and the whistle blows again, indicating that the train has arrived at the station.
Published
Piano