Track Listing

1. Symphony for solo piano, Op. 39 Nos. 4-7
2. Salut, cendre du pauvre! Op. 45
3. Alleluia, Op. 25
4. Super flumina Babylonis, Op. 52 (Paraphrase du Psaume 137)
5. Souvenirs: Trois morceaux dans le genre pathetique, Op. 15

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #51662 in Music
• Released on: 2001-05-26
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .25 pounds
• Running time: 74 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Anyone who regards Charles-Valentin Alkan as a pathetic joke--reputedly killed when his book case fell on him--should listen to Marc-André Hamelin's recording of Symphony for Solo Piano and think again. Scholarly, obsessed with his Jewish scriptures, and so reclusive that he would disappear from view for years at a time, Alkan was also a virtuoso pianist in the Lisztean mould. Liszt himself thought highly of him, which makes interesting sense of the fact that some of the pieces on this disc seem to adumbrate Liszt's own works. Others are clearly influenced by Chopin, whom Alkan inordinately admired. Schumann, on the other hand, was contemptuous of the Souvenirs which close this collection, and one can easily see why: the first is lachrymose mood-music, the second ("Le vent") a rather obvious nature-picture depending on chromatic runs, while the third cries out for Schumann's fancy to set it free. But the Symphony itself is noble, and the religious works that follow are imbued with palpable exaltation: Alkan translated the Bible, then destroyed his translation, but remained convinced that the whole book should be set to music. Hamelin's virtuosity is at its peak throughout. --Michael Church

Customer Reviews

Incredible technique Stunning music
This is a first rate performance of the Symphony for solo piano (four etudes of Op. 39). Hamelin has an almost unbelevable technique, and you hear EVERY note with clarity and precision. Lewenthal's performance, however, is even more exciting, it is slightly less perfect pianistically, but so much more orgasmic. Hamelin is stunning, Lewenthal is stupifying. Jack Gibbons is a great compromise between the two. The "historic" Ronald Smith is great and illuminating as well. This music is so great it easily withstands several interpretations. I'm keeping all of these recordings. If you like Liszt and Chopin you will love Alkan. MM