Alkan - Allegro Barbaro, Op. 35 No. 5

[orangesodaking]

Here is a video recording I made earlier today of the first Alkan piece I ever heard, Etude No. 5 from 12 Etudes in all the major keys, Op. 35. I was hooked ever since. I hope you all enjoy.

[furtwaengler]

May I be the first to congratulate you on this extraordinary achievement. From the time you first heard this to now it seems you’ve become an authority on Alkan and have spread your love of this composer through the internet. I remember fondly Alkan e-recital you set up on pianoworld which I participated in (DSF), and your youtube account has been explored to great effect for more than just Alkan. What are you doing these days? Were you studying to be a choral conductor?

Excellent, precise and exciting playing. I love it.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

This is excellent work, and the camera angle is great too, because it reveals the secret of good octaves - the economy of movement is clearly demonstrated. Well done too in terms of the fluidity in the jumping octaves section; personally I think that element is harder than the double octaves.

[visitor]

I loved seeing and hearing this!  I would love to start playing and enjoying Alkan myself someday.
Top marks all around, this is a great
Video and what the audition board is about!

*slinks back to go practice as i imagine this is how i must look after seeing you play

I have much work to do...

[orangesodaking]

Thank you all for your kind words! furtwaengler, I remember your great contribution to that e-cital. Yes, I am studying to be a choral conductor, but also staying active with the piano.

ronde_des_sylphes, I remember watching the video of Jack Gibbons over and over again when I was younger, and seeing how he played the octaves helped me learn how to play them.

visitor, there is plenty of delightful Alkan, accessible for every level! The chants, preludes, esquisses, and first nocturne are a good place to start.

[furtwaengler]

*slinks back to go practice as i imagine this is how i must look after seeing you play

I have much work to do...

Actually this kid’s on to something. If we all had such a natural approach to the piano, to breath, to life as a little child we’d have much more ease in dealing with the harshes technical problems. 

[visitor]

Actually this kid’s on to something. If we all had such a natural approach to the piano, to breath, to life as a little child we’d have much more ease in dealing with the harshes technical problems.  

+1 haha sort of started to think the same after I posted

To OP
Thanks for heads up to encourage Alkan, I purchased a really nice copy (Limione edition I believe) of the etude alla Barbaro , it jumps all over but it's a fine study in large chords for both hands and in quick setting for next big chord jump, it's intimidating but like they say, so,is eating an elephant until you realize you can do it one small bite at a time...
I'll pull out my copy to start,on it later this fall ( hopefully )  as my teacher has me super focused on current assignments but torally want to start

Also , I dug up your old thread on duke of pianeet, big fan and he is unreal, he's the pianist on a few of my albums from Japan for game concert arrangements .