Charles Valentin Alkan Etude Op. 39 No. 2 En rythme molossique

En rhythme molossique (In molossian rhythm) is the second of the Études in the minor keys, Op. 39 for solo piano by the French composer CharlesValentin Alkan, published in 1846. It is in D minor. The piece is in rondo form, with two episodes, and is mostly driven by the rhythm (one quarter note, two beamed eighth notes, two beamed eighth notes). Ronald Smith compares the theme, involving loud octaves in canon, to the minuet from Joseph Haydn s string quartet, Op. 76 No. 2. The first episode is lighter in