PS. to those that don't really know Alkan either, give this a listen. a stupendous performance by Vincenzo Maltempo.
anybody else have any suggestions? or is alkan not popular here...?
Vincenzo is probably the worst performer of Alkan's music. His interpretations feature far too many mistakes and to try and, to rectify it, he slows down at places of difficulty. As a result, the continuity of alkan's music is lost in his playing.
The resurrection of Alkan's music has reached a state in which it is no longer obscure
and quite irksome when people mention his name.
So you say. Who, then, do you consider to be "probably the best"?...Fortunately, that's true, but...In what way is mention of Alkan's name "irksome"?Best,Alistair
because Alkan is like soooo last century. Those people who say his name just to sound cool are truly the laggards of the trend.
one of my first few purchases of Alkan scores was for a barcarolle, really not too difficult note and pace wise, layout of the piece makes sense and most at a late intermediate w a good teacher or on own at early advanced should be able to make quick work of it, i read through one last weekend while just poking around in some scores and books i need to organize and put away. Quite enjoyable actually
Also he transcribed the first movement of Beethoven 3rd concerto for solo piano, it's more Beethoven than it is Alkan but it's fantastic.
For starter pieces to learn: the Nocturne, look through the Esquisses, and the Song of the Madwoman are all very accessible.The op.39 set is surely his crowning glory, though the Cello/Piano sonata is quite a remarkable work.I think Raymond Lewenthal's Alkan is still fascinating in its pioneering revivalism. His radio talk is on Youtube. &nohtml5=FalseThe cadenza is very heavily Alkan-tinted though (including the unexpected reference to Beethoven 5). Colossaly difficult too.. I have bad memories of this.
Topic: Getting into Alkan's music. 