Orange Soda King - Charles-Valentin Alkan Etude in G Major 35/3: Message Board

Orange Soda King's Comments

This piece is a study in melodic tremolo, and a very tricky kind of tremolo at that: alternating octaves and a single note. The melody is carried by the top finger (5th finger in the right hand and thumb in the left hand when it switches), so as well as the tremolo having to be even, comfortable, and shimmering, the melody has to sing very beautifully.

As well as a technical study, this piece is very musically satisfying. I would dare to say that as an etude, it is just as technically concentrated and "obvious" as Chopin's etudes about which technical aspect it exemplifies, but is more musically satisfying than most of Chopin's etudes (although Chopin's 10/3 comes to mind immediately).

Even after playing, listening to, and harmonically analyzing this etude many times, I am still discovering all the genius behind it. Alkan was very much a classicist in his compositions by the amount of balance and symmetry he employs, but he still snuck in a few innovations of his own. In this etude, there are some interesting harmonic changes (especially in the second part of the "A" section, and even more so in the "B" section) that allow the return of the "A" section to consist of nothing but I, IV, and V chords but make perfect sense.

There's no way this piece of music could be any more perfect. I believe it is one of Alkan's best technical studies, both to listen to and play. Literally 100% of the people I have played this etude for said it was a beautiful and wonderful etude, including college professors who were skeptical about or even disliked Alkan (without being familiar with any of his music... I know, that's sad). Many of them were following along with my score and were singing along! No less than three were even inspired to learn and study this etude! They still keep telling me today about their progress on it.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do, or at least the others who have heard me perform it.

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Name	Date	Comment
liszt85	2010-10-13 19:52:43	Delightful playing!
Rachfan	2010-08-24 21:01:18	I just listened to your etude and very much enjoyed hearing it. The piece is new to me, so I found it all the more interesting. You play it beautifully and manage the long lyrical line very well despite the constant tremelo accompaniment that surrounds it. Melody and accompaniment within the same hand is always a technical and artistic challenge, but you take it in stride. As for the middle section, you bring out its drama and excitement extremely well. Excellent playing! David
Sorcerer88	2010-08-23 12:19:35	Oh yes, the Alkan bicentennial in 2013.. i'll make my contribution and try to tackle something big and beautiful like this one =)
wr	2010-08-23 02:38:57	Wow!! You are obviously on Alkan's wavelength, and have the resources to play this stuff and bring out the musical value in it. I can't begin to say how impressed I am (and yes, I've read though this piece more than a few times, so I know whereof I speak).
canonie	2010-08-21 21:33:57	that middle section rocks! Great passion and shaping, can't believe you're not at least 27. well done osk!
Inlanding	2010-08-21 18:17:14	Very excellent performance of what sounds like a very physically demanding piece of music! A very simple melody along with a great motif makes you want to get out of your chair. The intense middle of the piece takes you away and the quieter theme brings you back. The melody and sounds paints a beautiful picture in my mind's ear. The tremolo effect throughout gives the music a true voice. Bravo, OSK!
Orange Soda King	2010-08-21 14:30:06	Hehe, I actually started practicing this etude a little again. It's a piece that once you learn, you should keep it in your repertoire forever and never let it go (partly because the technical benefits from it are great, and it takes so darn long to get it right, might as well milk it for all its worth). Thanks for the feedback guys! We need to start now to prepare for Alkan's bicentennial in 2013!
SlatterFan	2010-08-21 12:11:32	I am happy to join the 100% saying it is a beautiful and wonderful etude. Definitely "real music" and *not* "just an etude"! I am sure the composer would have been delighted to hear your performance, and to know that his music is being enjoyed in the 21st century.
heidiv	2010-08-21 08:28:39	You play with a maturity far beyond your years. Yes, those tremolos sound very difficult, but you also have wonderful phrasing and dynamics too! In lesser hands, this would sound like an etude, but you give it life! Bravo!
Elene	2010-08-21 03:43:26	YIKES that sounds hard!
Carey	2010-08-20 20:01:05	OSK - Wonderful performance of a difficult piece !!! Alkan rocks !!!
Sorcerer88	2010-08-20 19:52:40	Still a great recording =) you're doing a good job promoting Alkan!
Cinnamonbear	2010-08-20 18:43:26	Great energy, OSK! Brilliant performance!
gerg	2010-08-20 12:53:22