Description
This is No. 8 of Alkan's Op. 31 Préludes, bearing the evocative title "Song of the Madwoman by the Sea." True to its name, restless figuration suggesting crashing waves and a troubled mind sets it apart from the more conventional preludes in the set, creating a fantastical, dramatic atmosphere. At an advanced level, it demands convincing control of sudden dynamic shifts and irregular gestures, concentrating Alkan's characteristic blend of eccentricity and passion.
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Sheet Music
Sheet music provided by Mutopia Project
About the Composer
Charles-Valentin Alkan (1813-1888)
This is a character piece by the French pianist-composer Charles-Valentin Alkan, evoking the poetic image of a madwoman lamenting by the sea. It reveals a narrative, pictorial side to a composer otherwise best known for extreme pianistic virtuosity. This site features his piece "Chanson de la Folle au Bord de la Mer."
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