Preludes, Op. 31 (Alkan)

Charles-Valentin Alkan wrote 25 preludes for solo piano or organ in 1844; they were published as his Op. 31 in 1847. These preludes span all 24 major and minor keys, plus an additional 25th prelude in C major.^[1]

The Preludes, Op. 31

1. Lentement, C major
2. Assez lentement, F minor
3. Dans le genre ancien, D♭ major
4. Prière du soir, F♯ minor
5. Psaume 150me, D major
6. Ancienne mélodie de la synagogue, G minor
7. Librement mais sans secousses, E♭ major
8. La chanson de la folle au bord de la mer, A♭ minor
9. Placiditas, E major
10. Dans le style fugué, A minor
11. Un petit rien, F major
12. Le temps qui n'est plus, B♭ minor
13. J'étais endormie, mais mon cœur veillait, G♭ major
14. Rapidement, B minor
15. Dans le genre gothique, G major
16. Assez lentement, C minor
17. Rêve d'amour, A♭ major
18. Sans trop de mouvement, C♯ minor
19. Prière du matin, A major
20. Modérement vite et bien caracterise, D minor
21. Doucement, B♭ major
22. Anniversaire, E♭ minor
23. Assez vite, B major
24. Étude de velocite, E minor
25. Prière, C major

Reception

Alkan's contemporary François-Joseph Fétis cautioned critics and the public not to compare Op. 31 with the works of Chopin:

"We must not expect to find in this artist's volume of preludes a flurry of fast notes by means of which certain pianists presage the skill before the performance of a piece. Alkan is a person of heart and mind; his preludes are dream-like which conceal a very calculated and finished art form."^[2]

See also

• List of compositions by Charles-Valentin Alkan
• Music written in all major or minor keys