Looking for Alkan suggestion

[dtao12]

Hi,

Just joined PianoStreet today. I browsed some earlier threads about Alkan's difficulty, and don't want to get into controversy about difficulty or whether he's better or worse than other composers. I really like Alkan and one of the first pieces that captured me was the "Quasi Faust" played by Raymond Lewenthal. I recently downloaded that and realized I wasn't going to be able to play it (in the limisted amount of time I have to practice). I'm a formerly advanced pianist who has been stagnant for many years, and am wanting to get back into it. To give an idea, I did play the Liszt B minor sonata, Don Juan and Norma Fantasies, but it's been over 20 years since I played any of those, so I couldn't get them back to performance level any time soon, and I really need to rebuild my endurance. I can, at present, play the Beethoven Appassionata reasonably well, though. I just give that info as background to ask for suggestions for a relatively short but interesting Alkan piece that I could play, given my current state. While out of practice, I had gotten into the habit of just playing pieces I already knew, but now I'd like to tackle some new repertoire, including something by Alkan, whom I've never played.

Suggestions welcome!

Thanks,

David

[scottmcc]

try the slow movement from the symphony for solo piano (op 39 nr 5), which you should find relatively easy.

Salut, Cendre de Pauvre, Op.45 should give you a few challenges, but is still manageable and has a lot of the alkan style embodied in it.

from there, you're on your own.  I got scared looking at the rest of his scores.

[thalbergmad]

The nocturne Op.22 is one of Alkans easier pieces and is of ashtonishing beauty.

Even I can play it and I am 3rd rate hack.

Thal

[richard black]

A personal favourite is 'Le tambour bat aux champs'. Tricky but perfectly playable with a little practice. About 5 minutes long, maybe not even quite that.

[orangesodaking]

You could probably handle the Sonatine Op. 61 fairly well, and the first movement of the Symphony for Solo Piano is good. The Trois Morceaux Op. 15 are great pieces too.

[dtao12]

Thanks everyone for their suggestions so far. I really appreciate them.

Now if only this site actually had all those pieces of sheet music...

[scottmcc]

imslp has them.

ignore orangesodaking's suggestion about the first movement of the symphony, it's quite hard.  great music, don't get me wrong, but way hard!

[orangesodaking]

Scott, I'm willing to bet the first movement of the Symphony is easier than the Liszt B Minor Sonata or Don Juan Fantasy. I started practicing it a little bit and it seems to fit the hands nicely. The hardest parts are when there are lots of chords. Now the fourth movement is pretty tricky!

And yes, go to www.imslp.org/wiki for all your Alkan score needs.

[dtao12]

Thanks to those of you who suggested imslp.org! After growing up playing when there was no Internet, and just recently coming back into it, there are probably lots of sites I'm not aware of. I had googled "Alkan sheet music" but it had not turned up imslp. I appreciate your suggestions for the site, as well as for the pieces.

[orangesodaking]

The nocturne Op.22 is one of Alkans easier pieces and is of ashtonishing beauty.

Even I can play it and I am 3rd rate hack.

Thal

I'd love to hear you play it, even if you don't think it's that good.

[aslanov]

I've got just the ticket; the first movement of his sonata of the 4 ages;

[dtao12]

I've got just the ticket; the first movement of his sonata of the 4 ages;

Well, after all this silence from me, you're the winner (of the suggestion box that is). I think that the 1st movement "Vingt Ans (20 years Old)" is what I am going to learn. I already added a really easy piece, the Barcarolle, but think that this movement is a good challenge of dexterity, but not so intimidatingly "dense" with chords and accidentals as the Quasi Faust movement (which maybe I'll play someday). I've come a long way since resuming piano again and feel pretty comfortable with some difficult pieces, but the Alkan sonata 1st movement is a lot different in style from any of the others. Have been listening to the Hamelin recording (have not heard any other recordings yet, but enjoyed the Francesco Libetta video you recommended). I appreciate your suggestion!

[orangesodaking]

That's good that you picked that piece! I'm in the process of (hopefully) learning seriously another Alkan piece (I did the Op. 35 No. 3 etude).

Currently, I'm in love with his chamber music. Have you heard those yet? Do you have a violin, viola, or cello playing friend? The Grand duo concertant Op. 21 (violin/piano), Trio in G Minor Op. 30 (violin/cello/piano), and Sonate de Concert Op. 47 (cello or viola/piano) are amazing works, especially the Op. 47.

But any piece is great right now... Alkan needs more pianists, and if you've really played the Liszt Sonata and Don Juan Fantasy (those are VERY difficult pieces, probably harder than most of Alkan's stuff), you should be able to do 20 ans good justice.

[dtao12]

Thanks, orangesodaking. I'm not familiar with Alkan's chamber music yet, but will try give a listen. But first, the Vingt Ans! Just looked at it for the 1st time a few minutes ago, working out fingerings for the opening 4 pages. I just wish the score had used more 8va symbols instead of putting so many lines above the staff! But after the tedium of counting the lines is done, I can see it will be playable.

BTW, I think I saw and commented favorably on a video of you giving tips for Ravel's Tombeau de Couperin Toccata on Youtube. That was you, right? If so, thanks, and it appears that your age must be close to the title of the sonata movement we were just discussing.

[orangesodaking]

Yes, that was me. And I'm 17.

Have fun with 20 ans! I like the chamber music so much because it's actually quite a departure from his very exploratory yet very stylistically conservative way of writing.

I may take a stab at Quasi Faust sometime. If I had to choose a next Alkan piece, it would either be one of the chamber works or Aime-Moi Op. 15 No. 1.