En rhythme molossique

En rhythme molossique (In molossian rhythm) is the second of the Études in the minor keys, Op. 39 for solo piano by the French composer Charles-Valentin Alkan, published in 1846. It is in D minor. The piece is in rondo form, with two episodes, and is mostly driven by the rhythm . Ronald Smith compares the theme, involving loud octaves in canon, to the minuet from Joseph Haydn's string quartet, Op. 76 No. 2.

The first episode is lighter in mood, but the rhythm is still pervasive.

In the second episode, the rhythm dissolves into a crotchet followed by a minim, and flowing semiquavers appear throughout.

The original theme returns only after the second episode concludes, in double counterpoint with the second episode, and the climax then occurs with both episodes being combined. Finally, the flowing semiquavers of the second episode reappear once more in the coda in D major, with the rhythm being repeated over and over again in the bass, and the work ends, referencing Beethoven's "Tempest" sonata, also in D minor.^[1]

Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji considered this piece to be one the 'most original' of the op. 39 set, 'the dour, harsh, heavy brutality of the rhythm is magnificently expressed.'^[2]

References

↑ R. Smith, Alkan, the Man, the Music, London, 2000.
↑ K. Sorabji, 'Around Music' (1932), pp. 217-8

External links

Études by Charles-Valentin Alkan

4 Livres d'Études-Caprices (Opp. 12–16)	Trois improvisations dans le style brilliant (Op. 12) Trois andantes romantiques (Op. 13) Trois morceaux dans le genre pathétique (Op. 15) Trois études de bravoure (Op. 16)

Douze études dans tous les tons majeurs (Op. 35)	No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 No. 4 No. 5 No. 6 No. 7 (L'incendie au village voisin) No. 8 No. 9 (Contrapunctus) No. 10 (Chant d'amour – chant de mort) No. 11 No. 12

Douze études dans tous les tons mineurs (Op. 39)	No. 1 (Comme le vent) No. 2 (En rhythme molossique) No. 3 (Scherzo diabolico) Nos. 4–7 (Symphony for solo piano) Nos. 8–10 (Concerto for solo piano) No. 11 (Ouverture) No. 12 (Le festin d'Ésope)

Trois grandes études (Op. 76)	No. 1 (Fantaisie) No. 2 (Introduction, Variations et Finale) No. 3 (Mouvement semblable et perpetuel)

Others	Le preux (Op. 17) Le chemin de fer (Op. 27) Bourrée d'Auvergne (Op. 29) Étude in A minor, WoO Étude alla barbaro, WoO

List of compositions by Charles-Valentin Alkan

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