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Reviews:
A Beautiful Disc - Not To Be Missed
Charles-Valentin Alkan composed his Grande Sonate in the midst of the 1848 revolution. For Alkan, the composition of this music was something of a manifesto and he wrote a preface (for him a rare event) to the score that set forth on free expression in music. There was also great disappointment. The Grande Sonate was announced in all of the music magazines and the single performance of the music was not reviewed and was not played again until the 20th century. The sonata is subtitle "The Four Ages" and each movement represents an age beginning at 20 and ending at 50.
The sonata begins with a Scherzo that is somewhat reminisect of Chopin but more admitted and frenzied. It leaves the listener breathless with its whirlwind melodies. The second movement - titled Quasi-Faust - is a retelling of the story by Goethe. The movement opens with a Faust theme that reappears at intervals and is succeeded by a Devil's theme, which is an inversion of Faust's music. Margaurte's theme is somewhat sad and reflective. Alkan included a complicated eight-voice fugue and the music develops, following the story, to the triumph of good over evil.
The third movement is a Romance that reminds one of Chopin. The music is slow and lovingly conceived and slowly becomes more animated. The music settled back into what seems a happy domestic picture and ends quietly. The final movement is based on the play Prometheus Unbound by Aeschylus. The music relates the drama of the suffering Prometheus, who is being punished by Zeus for given men the gift of fire. The music is reflective with subdued drama and ends abruptly on repeated chords. The Grande Sonate is unusual for having two movements of high drama succeeded by two introspective.
The Sonatine was written fourteen years after the Grande Sonate and is about as different as it could be. The sonata is concise and melodious offering wide appeal. The opening movement is a busy piece with occasional angry outbursts. The slow second movement is jewel-like study and is followed by a perpetual motion Scherzo brimming with energy. The Trio returns to the peaceful mood of the second movement. The finale begins with several bold chords then rushes headlong into an energetic dance melody.
The Barcarolle is brimming with sweet sadness and sounds somewhat like Mendelssohn. The final work comes from a book of twelve etudes and is another example of Alkan's interest in classical studies. Le festin d'Esope is a theme and variations. The music is charming with a sense of humor.
Marc-Andre Hamelin presents an extraordinary program consistently well played. He overcomes all the technical difficulties brilliantly and provides exquisite shading and color. This is an excellent disc for an introduction to the music of Alkan.
A magnificent album
Exciting, brilliant sound. The best rendition of Le festin d'Esope of the three I own. This CD is a valuable part of my collection
More than viruosity
I came to the disc knowing only that Alkan had a reputation for writing the unplayable. Too often, when vituosity is the goal, the music is sidelined by the acrobatics. Not here. Marc-Andre Hamelin interprets and communicates. He presents this formidable music perfectly, at least as far as my amateur ear can detect. In the Barcarolle Op65, we also discover a different side to Alkan who, in this peice, is as reflective as a thoughful Chopin and as song-like as Brahms.
Truly Virtuosic
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.
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.
