Comme le vent

Comme le vent (Like the wind) is the first of the Études in the minor keys, Op.

The tempo marking is prestissimamente ( = 160), and the unusual 216 time signature further encourages a fast performance.

Its continuous triplet melody evokes a tarantella, and has a fleeting Mendelssohnian scherzo character, but is marked by Alkan's obsessive melodic development and unusual harmonic progressions.

The piece is technically demanding, requiring extreme digital velocity and dexterity, as well as stamina: lasting less than four minutes if played at tempo, its 23 pages contain long passages of perpetual triplet-32nd notes (triplet demisemiquavers) for the right hand.

The piece is not to be confused with Alkan's earlier Le vent, one of the Trois morceaux op.