Alkan: Les quatre ages; Sonatine; Le festin d'Esope

On this CD:

1. Grande Sonate for piano, "Les Quatre Ages" Op. 33
Composed by Charles-Valentin Alkan
Performed by Marc-Andre Hamelin

2. Sonatine for piano, Op. 61
Composed by Charles-Valentin Alkan
Performed by Marc-Andre Hamelin

3. Songs for piano, Op. 65/6, Barcarolle
Composed by Charles-Valentin Alkan
Performed by Marc-Andre Hamelin

4. Le festin d'Esope, variations for piano in E minor (Études dans tous les tons mineurs No. 12), Op. 39/12
Composed by Charles-Valentin Alkan
Performed by Marc-Andre Hamelin

Tracks:

Grande Sonate 'Les Quatre Ages', Op. 33: 20 ans. Tres vite
Grande Sonate 'Les Quatre Ages', Op. 33: 30 ans, Quasi-Faust. Assez vite
Grande Sonate 'Les Quatre Ages', Op. 33: 40 ans, un menage heureux. Lentement
Grande Sonate 'Les Quatre Ages', Op. 33: 50 ans, Promethee enchaine. Extremement lent
Sonatine, Op. 61: Allegro vivace
Sonatine, Op. 61: Allegramente
Sonatine, Op. 61: Scherzo-Minuet
Sonatine, Op. 61: Tempo giusto - Coda
Barcarolle, Op. 65, No. 6
Le Festin d'Esope, Op. 39, No. 12

Customer Reviews:

Truly Virtuosic.......2007-05-14

The piano music of French Romantic composer Charles-Valentin Alkan is not for everyone. It would never be described as "easy listening." In fact, listening to Alkan's music, especially the first time, requires an effort almost as great as playing other music. Repeated hearings allow one to penetrate the intensity and appreciate the incredible complexity of the compositions, though it is reported that some listeners find the music too unsettling to ever enjoy. Certainly all will find that the music on this CD evokes a wide range of reactions.
If Alkan is a virtuoso as a composer, than the pianist on this CD, Canadian Marc-Andre Hamelin, is equally great. Few pianists are up to the task of performing Alkan's music. Of those, Hamelin must be the best. His playing skills and understanding of the heart of the music make this a truly exceptional CD.

One of the best solo piano recordings ever made........2005-05-22

This disc is totally astonishing. One you start listening to it you will not be able to stop. The Grande Sonate is one of the most beautiful, moving, complex pieces of music for solo piano ever written. Hamelin brings it to life like no one else can. If you have never listened to Alkan, this is a fine introduction to some of the greatest (and most forgotten) piano music ever composed. And if you have never listened to Hamelin - this is probably his greatest work ever. The more you listen to the Grande Sonate the more you discover in it. You wait for those dramatic, breathtaking moments. You marvel at how two human hands can produce these sounds through the piano, and you continually find more subtlies and nuances in this materpiece. Words fail in describing how great this recording is. If you love piano music - get it. It you love Alkan it is truly a must.

so fast it misses the point.......2005-05-20

Much of Alkan's music is vacuous. This is not to dismiss its value, but it is to say that there is much which is of interest because of the technical demands and effects which are on display, and the apparent challenge and impressiveness which these incur. The Grande Sonate stands alone as being altogether different. It is a poetic masterpiece. It is a misconception to regard Alkan as being simply a composer of pyrotechnical virtuosity, even if it is a common and understandable one. What is unforgiveable is to treat the Grande Sonate in the same way as one might approach 'Comme le Vent', 'le Chemin de Fer', the 'Scherzo-Focoso' or any other piece which is clearly reliant on a stringent adherence to tempo and little in the way of expressive variation. Is it sensible to condone a performer who does this? One who plays note-perfectly at an astonishingly fast pace, yet who does not take the requisite time to bring out the almost infinitely complex and inter-related themes, motifs, ideas that inhere the piece? If you are interested in hearing someone play challenging music very quickly then buy this recording. If you want to hear what is arguably the most original work of solo piano writing to come out of the nineteenth-century performed with all the poetic nuance that it deserves, then buy Pierre Reach's stunning recording. Hamelin is an incredibly athletic and gifted pianist, and perhaps an ideal exponent of Alkan, but the Grande Sonate deserves a more patient and respectful approach, and this is not to be found on this recording.

An Inimitable Masterpiece.......2004-06-30

There are special moments in life when you remember exactly what you were doing when it happened. I remember exactly what I was doing when I first heard Bruckner's Eight (Guilini), Mahler's Second (Bernstein), Liszt Sonata (Horowitz), Gaspard de la Nuit (Michelangeli), and I can still hear to this day Richter's Schuman Symphonic Etudes, just to name a few. They were all life-changing events. My friend and I were having dinner when Hamelin's Grande Sonata appeared from the radio. Wow! I remember asking, "What crazy person had the nerve to compose this?", and more importantly, "Who on earth had the gall to record it?" Up to this faithful day in 1995, I had never heard of Hamelin or Alkan.
On this disc, Hamelin plays with so much elan, control, and technical ease that it leaves you breathless. Although the legendary Raymond Lewenthal and the late Ronald Smith have to be commended for their efforts in popularizing Alkan's much-neglected music, I believe Hamelin and this disc has been even more influential. I don't know if Alkan playing on this disc will ever be matched. This is certainly one of the greatest albums in history and should be part of the collection of all true classical music fans.

Astonishing technique.......2004-05-23

Marc-Andre Hamelin is an astounding virtuoso. He gives life to Alkan's works, which I hear for the very first time! It is really mind-boggling how he succeeds in tackling the Augean stables of the eight-part fugue at the end of Quasi-Faust!!!
It is no wonder, then that even Liszt was afraid to compete with Alkan, whom he deemed a superior virtuoso to himself. Alkan's music in itself has a tremendous intrinsic value, which, if one can feel, describes to such depth the essence of the human soul!

Average customer rating:

Splendid performances !

Piano Works
Alkan , and Ronald Smith
Manufacturer: EMI Classics Imports
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Alkan: Piano Works; Ronald Smith
Alkan: Symphony for solo piano
Alkan: 12 Études, Op. 39
Alkan: Piano Music, Volume 1: 12 Etudes, Op. 35

ASIN: B00006YX6V
Release Date: 2003-04-08

Tracks:

I: Vingt Ans
II: Trente Ans: Quasi-Faust
III: Quarante Ans: Un Heureux Menage
IV: Cinquante Ans: Promethee Enchaine
I: Comme Le Vent (Prestissimamente)
II: En Rythme Molossique (Risoluto)
III: Scherzo Diabolico (Prestissimo)
IV: Le Frestin D'Esope (Allegretto Senza Licenza Quantunque)
La Chanson De La Folle Au Bord De La Mer (Preludes, Op.31)
Allegro Barbaro (12 Etudes Dans Tous Les Tons Majeurs, Op.35)

Tracks:

I: Allegro Vivace
II: Allegramente
III: Scherzo-Minuetto
IV: Tempo Giusto
I: Etude Pour La Main Gauche Seule (Fantaisie)
II: Etude Pour La Main Droite Seule (Introduction, Variations Et Finale)
III: Etude Pour Les Mains Reunies (Mouvement Semblable Et Perpetuel)
I: Mouvement De Valse
II: Moderato (Quasi Minuetto)
III: Prestissimo

Customer Reviews:

Splendid performances !.......2004-07-28

Charels Valentin Alkan (The Berlioz of piano) has been one of the most underapreciated and even unknown composers of the XIX century . Certainly , besides his introspective character and hard temperament , he was a very meticulous composer and made of the piano his prima donna to express a big amount of piano music .
I knew about Alkan in the seventies through the Etudes op. 39 and the scherzo diabolico performed for Michael Ponti .
The Alkan sound in a first impression is extremely weird , but never lacks interest . The melodies are surrounded for mysterious efluvies and inspired moments , and many times the melody is interrupted for fortissimos who move the listener . In many aspects his tonal language demands from you all the possible atention , because it is not easy establish an inmediat rapport .
But , in the other hand there are just a few gifted keyboardist who are capable of playing so difficult score .
The list is very reduced : Raymond Lewenthal , Earl Wild , John Ogdon ,. Mark Hamelin , Ronald Smith , Michael Ponti and Bernard Rigneissen among the most remarkable .
Ronald Smith is a great virtuosi , but also a sensitive performer . He is searching the real intention behind the score and his fingers give the accurate pulse to every piece . When you play Alkan , you must draw the music , due its impresionistic and descriptive character . Due the fact Alkan was a deep thinker and passionate reader , inmersed in spiritual , religious and mythological issues , his music owns this syncretism .
Alkan has been considered as a simple composer of fireworks piano and obviously that 's a mistake . I can accept hat a part of his music can be listed under these terms but not in his majority .
Acquire this CD and make the attempt to get close to this weird music . The challenge runs for you but you will be rewarded .
Fortunately for us , Mark Hamelin one of the top pianists in the world includes Alkan ' s piano music in his personal repertoire . And that 's a good signal .

Alkan: Les quatre ages; Sonatine; Le festin d'Esope

Average customer rating:

Spectacular
Great CD
Alkan for the ages
(No title).
A true Alkan champion!

Alkan: Les quatre ages; Sonatine; Le festin d'Esope

Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Barcarolles | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00004WMWK
Release Date: 2000-10-10

Tracks:

Grande Son, Op.33 'Les Quatre Ages': 20 Ans. Tres Vite
Grande Son, Op.33 'Les Quatre Ages': 30 Ans, Quasi-Faust. Assez Vite
Grande Son, Op.33 'Les Quatre Ages': 40 Ans, Un Menage Heureux. Lentement
Grande Son, Op.33 'Les Quatre Ages': 50 Ans, Promethee Enchaine. Extremement Lent
Sonatine, Op.61: Allegro Vivace
Sonatine, Op.61: Allegramente
Sonatine, Op.61: Scherzo-Minuet
Sonatine, Op.61: Tempo Giusto - Coda
Barcarolle, Op.65 No.6
Le Festin D'Esope, Op.39 No.12

Customer Reviews:

Spectacular.......2001-11-14

This is Hamelin's first exclusively Alkan recording for Hyperion, closely following his "Live at Wigmore" recital that showcased two Alkan blockbusters. Returning to the studio, Hamelin continues the nigh super-human standard he established at Wigmore; if anything, there's a superfluity of power, an edginess that sets him apart. It's the sound of a piano pushed to the limit - strings struck so sharply that unexplained overtones crop up.

The "Quasi Faust" of the Grande Sonate grips the soul with its oration, titanic climaxes giving way to tender chorale. For me, this album was a discovery of Alkan's lyricism; I heard for the first time phrases that dripped sentiment, and I was moved in a way that his Concerto for Piano Solo never could. The signature, clattering brilliance is still there, but it's vertical dimensions are confined, as in the Sonatine, which tends towards Mendelssohn's Lieder ohne Worte albeit driven to extremes.

There are few superlatives left that I can throw Hamelin's way. Naturally, I've begun to look for faults. At his best, he can throw the piano into a bombilation like few greats; his percussive touch, the way his fingers seem spring-loaded, reminds me at times of Horowitz. Sometimes, though, through the volleys of notes, I wonder if he isn't missing some of the rapture.

Great CD.......2001-10-17

The first movement of the Grande Sonate is a real jaw-dropper, although I could forgive anyone for skipping the other 3 movements. However, the entire Sonatine is excellent, with the second movement proving beyond doubt that Alkan can write a good piece without relying on virtuosity. The Festin D'Esope shows off some very creative variations on a theme and some more murderous fast passages that you wouldn't want to try at home. Hamelin is fearless with all this material, as usual.

Alkan for the ages.......2001-01-11

I fully agree with the previous reviewers. What a recording! What a pianist! And most of all what an underestimated composer!!! I hope that this cd, and Hamelin's upcoming successor may help in (re)establishing Alkan as one of the major representatives of the composers of the romantic piano-repertoire

(No title)........2000-12-07

Ah, what an extraordinarily Grante Sonata is Alkan's The Four Ages, about a man gradually growing older, losing steam, giving up hope in life. Hamelin's performance is everything that could be wished for. The first two movements successfully overwhelm in its hair-raising, breathtaking bravura, always with a crispness and precision in finger movement in spite of the superhuman feats demanded. The third movement, a picture of domestic bliss, really is that, not to mention charmingly and beautifully poised. The fourth movement, lacking here in some of the tear-jerking tragedy abundant in Smith recording, is still a Promethean finale, most powerfully and effectively projected, ulimately avoiding the self-mocking and cliched abandon Alkan saw to be old age. The Sonatine, concise and concentrated in the extreme, is delivered an extremely fine-articulated, no-nonsense reading, bringing out the clarity and economy of writing in one of Alkan's more classical compositions. How serene, beautiful, seductive, and hypnotic the Barcarolle comes across... To top it off, closing the disc, is a stunning display of pianistic acrobatics ala Aesop's Fables filled to the brim with charisma, will, and domineering personality... In terrific sound, with informative and interesting liner notes, all wonderfully presented for Hyperion's Annivery, this disc is yet another Hamelin (and Alkan) absolute must!

A true Alkan champion!.......2000-10-28

Hamelin is by far the best of the Alkan interperters! He combinds the FFF playing remenisant of Lewenthal (who's recordings are also some of the best) with the subtlty of Gibbons and Smith, with his own flare that is completely unique to his interpertation. He captures wonderfull the "bombastic bass" Alkan loves to put in his music (e.g. some of the variations in the etude op.39 no.12 and the symphony for solo piano), and he also gets at the beautiful tones Alkan wrote in his Grande Sonata. Hamelin has a fire that not many of the other Alkan players have. His performances have an unmatched energy (listen to the trios grandes etudes, performed LIVE!). I am waiting with baited breath for Hamelin to do a complete recording of the op.39, I would DIE for him to do the complete Alkan music! By far my fave Alkan player.

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