Alkans Birthday Today (Nov 30)

[orangesodaking]

It's now November 30th in my time zone. Happy 197th birthday, Chuck. You're a pretty awesome guy once I really got to know you.

I hope there's SOME sort of sizable celebration for Alkan's 200th in 2013.

[djealnla]

I hope there's SOME sort of sizable celebration for Alkan's 200th in 2013.

There's nothing wrong with hoping, but neither Chopin nor Schumann have during this year received the attention which they deserve, so I don't think most people will care about Alkan's birth at all.

[richard black]

Well, it's not as if either Chopin or Schumann really lacks recognition in any year, is it? Numerically significant anniversaries are most useful to composers whose star is shining a little dimly. And on that note, I'd be delighted to see a bit more being done to promote Alkan. As someone (Thal, was it?) mentioned on this forum only a few days ago, he's of interest way beyond having written some of the hardest piano music of the 19th century. The fact that he wrote some of the most individual and beautiful of ditto seems far more important to me.

[orangesodaking]

The fact that he wrote some of the most individual and beautiful of ditto seems far more important to me.

THANK YOU. Only a couple of his pieces are perversely difficult.

And djealnla, I guess all the Chopin/Schumann celebrations passed your area. I was CONSTANTLY bombarded by it just about every single day of the year, ESPECIALLY when I went to Indiana University for three weeks... My goodness!

Of course, Chopin and Schumann were absolutely incredible, and their music is so great, so they do deserve all of this celebration!

By the way, I don't think Alkan is at the same level as Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, etc. in importance... But I do like him more than Tchaikovsky or Mendelssohn (when it comes to keyboard compositions).

[djealnla]

And djealnla, I guess all the Chopin/Schumann celebrations passed your area. I was CONSTANTLY bombarded by it just about every single day of the year, ESPECIALLY when I went to Indiana University for three weeks... My goodness!

Of course, Chopin and Schumann were absolutely incredible, and their music is so great, so they do deserve all of this celebration!

By the way, I don't think Alkan is at the same level as Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, etc. in importance... But I do like him more than Tchaikovsky or Mendelssohn (when it comes to keyboard compositions).

Luckily, I was bombarded solely with Mahler, whose music I like quite a bit, but it did get annoying after some time.

I agree with your other points.

[orangesodaking]

It's funny that you bring that up! I was just listening to the first symphony and quartet movement earlier today! 

My university's orchestra is going to play the complete 1st symphony. It's great, and they only get better! How about that olympic 8th symphony?

[birba]

It's now November 30th in my time zone. Happy 197th birthday, Chuck. You're a pretty awesome guy once I really got to know you.

I hope there's SOME sort of sizable celebration for Alkan's 200th in 2013.

I so enjoy orangesodaking's enthusiasm and spirit!  It's really catching!