Trois morceaux dans le genre pathétique

"Trois morceaux dans le genre pathétique" (Three Pieces in the Pathetic Style) is a 3 movement suite for piano composed by the French composer, Charles-Valentin Alkan, published in 1837. The suite also bears the title "Souvenirs" (Memories). The 3 movements are "Aime-moi" (Love Me), "Le vent" (The Wind), and "Morte" (Death).

Description

"Aime-moi", in A flat minor, features repeated chords, tremolos, and arpeggios.

"Le vent" is in B minor. The piece contains chromatic scales throughout, except for the middle portion, which introduces the second theme. These chromatic scales include a 2 page transition, completely composed of dual chromatic scales sweeping the span of most of the keyboard. The notation of the chromatic scales is unusual, ranging from 12 32nd notes to 20 grouped to be a quarter note. The first theme clearly represents the wind, with a sad extended chords superimposed by languid chromatics. The second theme is in a major key, and features sweeps for the left hand while the right performs the melody in octaves with tremolos played within. Then the first theme returns fiercely with tremolos instead of chords for the left hand.

"Morte", in E flat minor, quotes the Gregorian chant of "Dies Irae". The piece features difficult, dense chord passages, sixths, trills, tremolos and repeated notes. The piece ends very abruptly with a long trill and two 16th notes.

Reception

The pieces received a virulent review from Robert Schumann, who wrote:

It has a considerable flavour of Sue and Sand. One is startled by such false, unnatural art [...] We always make allowances for erring talent [...] but when nothing is to be found but black on black, we turn away in discouragement [Robert Schumann, tr. F. Ritter, "Essays and Criticisms (Second Series)", London n.d. , p. 317]

Recordings

Recordings of the the "Trois morceaux" have been made by Marc-André Hamelin and Robert Rivard.

core

* [http://piano.francais.free.fr/PARTITIONSCORES/alkan_Op15_Trois_Morceaux_DOUTE.pdf Downloadable score]

Performances

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k3jJebH2UY A video that features a recording by Marc-André Hamelin] . However, the video cuts off the latter half of the piece.

Notes

References

R. Smith, "Alkan, the Man, the Music", London, 2000.