Alkan, Charles-Valentin (1813 - 88)

[Tevot]

I am interested in exploring the music of these 2 Composers but don't know where to start. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Hello there Richard. You could try with this. Grande Sonate "Les Quatre Ages" which was my first encounter with Alkan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxX60TmUXMs

Best Wishes,

Tevot

[Beef Oven!]

I am interested in exploring the music of these 2 Composers but don't know where to start. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Hi Richard

I'd suggest the Alkan two CD set on ASV by Jack Gibbons. I attended a JG all-Alkan concert in 1994 at The RFH in London where he played the entirety of this ASV release, plus other material and would strongly recommend this recording.

[Beef Oven!]

[Lordgeous]

A Hinton should be along soon!

[ahinton]

A Hinton should be along soon!

He's along now!

40 years ago, anyone interested would have struggled to find much Alkan or any Sorabji on disc; how times have changed!

Where to start with recommendations? Well, if we're talking recommendations for those who are largely or completely unfamiliar with either composer's work, I'll leave others to find the Alkan ones and merely offer the hint to check out early ones by Ronald Smith as well as more recent ones by Marc-André Hamelin, Vincenzo Maltempo and Alessandro Deljavan.

[richardfinegold]

He's along now!

40 years ago, anyone interested would have struggled to find much Alkan or any Sorabji on disc; how times have changed!

Where to start with recommendations? Well, if we're talking recommendations for those who are largely or completely unfamiliar with either composer's work, I'll leave others to find the Alkan ones and merely offer the hint to check out early ones by Ronald Smith as well as more recent ones by Marc-André Hamelin, Vincenzo Maltempo and Alessandro Deljavan.

I ordered one of the Ullen discs, and for Alkan I came across a Lewenthal recording that was reissued. Thanks to all for their recommendations.

[EdgeleyRob]

Alkan

So many great recordings nowadays
Ronald Smith,EMI
Jack Gibbons,ASV
Piano Trio and Cello Sonata,Naxos
Hamelin of course
All good introductions,if only more pianists would play the stuff in recitals.

[Jonathan]

I agree entirely! To this list I would add Yui Morishita (see him on you-tube)...

I've only seen Alkan played twice live - once by Ronald Smith (in about 2005, IIRC - Le Festin d'Esope) and Ian Pace (in 2008, IIRC - several Etudes from Op.39).

[Pianorak]

I heard Ronald Smith play Alkan at Brighton College in the mid-1990s (he died aged 82 in 2004).

[Jonathan]

Ah, must've been 2002 or 2003 then - thanks Pianorak!

[EdgeleyRob]

I agree entirely! To this list I would add Yui Morishita (see him on you-tube)...

I've only seen Alkan played twice live - once by Ronald Smith (in about 2005, IIRC - Le Festin d'Esope) and Ian Pace (in 2008, IIRC - several Etudes from Op.39).

[EdgeleyRob]

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I think he's miming.

[EdgeleyRob]

I think he's miming.

No way !

[richardfinegold]

I've been listening to two Alkan dics with great pleasure. I love his use of Harmony and unusual rhythms. For me, a major discovery.