Eckhardt-Grammate Sonatas

[john11inc]

Anyone know if these have been recorded?

I guess on the other hand, discuss.

[richard black]

The whole set was recorded by Marc-André Hamelin for Altarus, a 2 CD box set, in the late 1990s. Stunning. OK, the music is a bit uneven in places, but the best of it I find quite extraordinary, very individual and captivating.

https://www.altarusrecords.com/AltarusMainCatalogue.html

[viking]

MAH practically owns these, bringing out nearly as much music as possible from what's written on the page.

E-gre seems to be a very sloppy composer with a very awkward compositional style.  Not easy to play at all, and sometimes not worth the effort, except if you can absorb music ala difusion.

[retrouvailles]

Sure, it is very uneven music, but I have to agree, Hamelin plays the hell out of them and gives you the best chance to evaluate their worth for yourself. However, the last sonata is a good piece that is worth your time. It has a movement for left hand alone, a movement for right hand alone, and a movement for both hands combined, with much of the same previous material. It looks a lot like updated Alkan to me. One of the best Canadian composers for sure, but, really, that doesn't really say much, heh.

[viking]

Sure, it is very uneven music, but I have to agree, Hamelin plays the hell out of them and gives you the best chance to evaluate their worth for yourself. However, the last sonata is a good piece that is worth your time. It has a movement for left hand alone, a movement for right hand alone, and a movement for both hands combined, with much of the same previous material. It looks a lot like updated Alkan to me. One of the best Canadian composers for sure, but, really, that doesn't really say much, heh.

The 6th Sonata definitely seems most worth learning out of the set, although that 3rd movement would probably going to take a while to learn.
I played one of the caprices which was neither difficult nor profound musically.
In terms of Canadian composers, my favorites are Jacques Hetu, Howard Bashaw, David McIntyre, and Denis Gougeon.

[prongated]

The 6th Sonata definitely seems most worth learning out of the set, although that 3rd movement would probably going to take a while to learn.
I played one of the caprices which was neither difficult nor profound musically.
In terms of Canadian composers, my favorites are Jacques Hetu, Howard Bashaw, David McIntyre, and Denis Gougeon.

NOW you're just asking for it...

[viking]

HAHAHAHAHA.

A bit biased/frustrated?

[prongated]

Frustrated? No. Biased? Very. Justified? I think so!