Le chemin de fer (Alkan)

"Le chemin de fer" is characterized by rapidly repeating bass notes, difficult to play and exacerbated by the extreme tempo.

"Le chemin de fer" (French for "the railway" or "the railroad"), Op. 27, is a programmatic étude for piano composed by Charles-Valentin Alkan in 1844,[1] frequently cited as the first musical representation of a railway.[2][3] It is a perpetuum mobile composition at an extremely fast tempo, in D minor,[3] and performance at tempo lasts approximately five minutes.[4]

  1. ^ Brisson, Eric (2008). "Alkan – Le chemin de fer, étude, op. 27". Pianopedia. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
  2. ^ Hitching, George (2006-08-24). "Charles-Valentin Alkan (1813–1888)". George Hitching personal page. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
  3. ^ a b Murray, Christopher J. (2004). Encyclopedia of the Romantic Era, 1760–1850. London: Taylor & Francis. p. 12. ISBN 1-5795-8422-5.
  4. ^ Delaborde, Élie-Miriam (2000). Le Chemin de Fer, Op. 27 (score). London: Ludwig Masters Publications.