The Russian Alkan

[visitor]

Probably could have posted in repertoire board,  oh well...but thismisnt about a single piece or a single composer so maybe ok to put here , mods can move it if need be; Balakirev, love his music,  have for many years but didn't think I was up to par technique or experience wise to pony up.  considering adding a piece of his to my plate next to around once a piece or two come off my current desk.
in reading and exploring his music , I have seen more than one reference to him as the Russian Alkan. These generalizations are usually way off, I replied to a post here recently disagreeing w an assertion of Medtner as a Russian Brahms...I digress....
 not sure I agree w that. sure it they were victims of themselves in terms of getting in the way of their own success w tneir quircks   and  not really receiving the appreciation of the masses but I suspect people are making that reference in terms of either style of difficulty I agree Balakirev has some very very difficult writing , but I don't think it was all that similar CVA.  If anything stronger comparisons could be made w Lyapunov and Balakirec. there is see striking similarities at times...
those familiar w Alkan please chime in as I am more familiar w Mily than I am w Charles Valentin so my ignorance for Alkan is causing some cognitive dissonance of sorts in trying to wrap my brain around that comparison
thanks for your help

Oh and when i called op,on the medtner Brahms thing in thought was way off...no reply.....which really bugged me for some reason...
Fyi
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=64908.0

[outin]

Double post

[outin]

Personally I do not understand these comparisons at all...

I love Bakakirev because of the musical quality of his works. I guess one thing he wrote (probably after drinking too much) may be the reason for such comparisons but I do not think Islamey represents his music but is rather a quirk.

Of course both had "difficult" personalities as well but I assume we are talking about music here?

Mendter is highly unique as a composer...had his own style. Ok, maybe I see a little bit of something in common with Brahms (both often used thick textures with the piano and wrote great music) but that is only a positive thing...

[visitor]

Personally I do not understand these comparisons at all...

I love Bakakirev because of the musical quality of his works. I guess one thing he wrote (probably after drinking too much) may be the reason for such comparisons but I do not think Islamey represents his music but is rather a quirk.

Of course both had "difficult" personalities as well but I assume we are talking about music here?

Mendter is highly unique as a composer...had his own style. Ok, maybe I see a little bit of something in common with Brahms (both often used thick textures with the piano and wrote great music) but that is only a positive thing...

agreed.
me everytime I hear the Medtner  Brahms or now this one....w Balakirev and Alkan