Track Listing

1. Allegro Assai
2. Adagio
3. Allegretto Alla Barbaresca
4. Vivante
5. Esprits Follets: Prestissimo
6. Canon: Assez Vivement
7. Tempo Giusto
8. Horace Et Lydie: Vivacissimo
9. Barcarolle: Assez Lentement

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16110 in Music
• Released on: 2007-08-27
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .2 pounds
• Running time: 68 minutes

Customer Reviews

Charles-Valentin WHO?
Compared to the music of other 19th century romantic composers, that of Charles-Valentin Alkan is little known. This is a shame. The programme of music on this disc is an excellent introduction to Alkan's work, presenting different and contrasting aspects of the composer's style. Like much of 19th century piano music it is technically extremely demanding and its performance restricted to the piano virtuoso. Marc-André Hamelin has previously promoted Alkan's compositions and his performance of the works on this disc is breathtaking. This is complimented by the excellent quality of Hyperion's recording. Some people find a lot of 19th century piano music just too showy for their taste, concentrating as it often tends to on ostentatious displays of virtuosity rather than solid musical merit. But if you are a fan, then this disc is well worth a listen.

Dazzling
There are some pieces of music that just have to be listened to. The Concerto for Solo Piano by Alkan is one of those pieces. It is an electrifying tour of all that is best about Romantic virtuosic piano music. Here the marvellous playing (how much his hands must have been aching by the 20 minute mark, but you would never know!) and the brilliant CD notes makes for a remarkably accessible combination. I'm not sure that I could have taken on the first movement without the notes which give an overall structural analysis (albeit in a very brief and accessible way). The repeated notes section is something else!!
The second movement is interesting (each of the movements is a 'study' in and of itself, each forming one twelfth of the epic cycle that is opus 39. The final movement is, if anything, more dazzling than the first although without the grandeur of length. That said, it is still a remarkable 10 minutes long. This is music that is will be difficult to tire of.
The pictures of Alkan (apparently only 2 survive) are fascinating. The 6 smaller pieces are also very enjoyable: a nice little encore and not such 'heavy' listening.
I have always love the Symphonie for Solo Piano from opus 39, but I think, given the length and grandeur of the first movement of the Concerto, this piece may just eclipse it for me!
By the end it may be difficult to shout 'bravo' (you'll be too exhausted ;-) but if you're listening to it on your ipod, you'll still start applauding. Enjoyyyy