Alkan- Piano Works; Ronald Smith

Rare collection of music, dry academic interpretation
Approaching this set after hearing Hamelin's Symphony and Concert for Piano Solo was rather disappointing... With all the respect to the work Ronald Smith has done for making the personality and the music of Alkan more popular, this recording brings to us dry, academic piano playing, with wooden and frozen tempos which allow to satisfy the technical demands of the music with the given technical abilities of a pianist, very dull and sometimes boring, and of course, lacking any thrill of virtuosity which is so much required in Alkan's music interpretation. Everything is played correctly and clean, but it does not move anywhere, and more technically demanding is a piece, more you feel it. The Concerto and the Symphony for Piano Solo are especially disappointing.... The good things about the set is the rarity of the pieces collected in it and the bargain price. The sound is also good. For true virtuoso pianism which is so much in need in Alkan's music, and for breathing and expressive interpretations I would still recommend Hamelin recordings, even though their price for single CD is about 2 times higher than the cost of this double set. This recording I would recommend mostly for those interested in Ronald Smith himself.

Alkan for the timid?
Smith worshippers will damn me for bringing this up, but Smith's first (1968) recording of the first movement of the Concerto was abridged with cuts of Smith's own invention. At least that is rectified here--the 1977 version is complete. However, whatever virtues this collection might possess, for me they are nullified by Smith's merely adequate performances. In the simpler pieces, he's OK, but in the horrendously difficult Concerto and Symphony, Smith seems to have his hands so full merely playing the notes, that "interpretation" is beside the point. Perhaps Smith's Alkan appeals to those who find Alkan too sinister, threatening and bizarre--but that's precisely what makes him interesting--Smith manages to make him bland. Get this set only if you want the other pieces in the collection, but get someone else's Symphony (Lewenthal or Hamelin) and Concerto (preferably Hamelin-who leaves Smith behind in the dust both technically and interpretively).

Definitive?
This version of the underappreciated work of Alkan should, in deference to Marc Andre Hamelin's amazing versions, should probably be the standard by which others are judged... in addition the album includes a great collection in one purchase.

WELL worth getting.
This CD has what is still my favorite interpretation of Alkan's Concerto out of the three I've heard (although regrettably I haven't heard Jack Gibbons' version). Ogdon and Hamelin seem to kind of rush parts in order to impart a greater sense of technical bravura whereas Smith lets the power and majesty of the piece come through. Also a great recording of the Alkan Symphonie. Hamelin's playing of the piece seems to have gotten all the attention but I find this one just right. The prior two pieces would be reason enough to get any Alkan CD but this one is also loaded with a number of smaller gems, some of which it's probably going to be, what, twenty years before someone else makes a recording of any of them. The Petit Conte and Nocturne show Alkan's similarities to Chopin. The Toccatina is a delightful little piece with an awesome ending. Five great preludes, eight esquisses, etc. etc. - probably the best Alkan CD out there.

A Great Remastering!
I own the original LP recordings of some of these works and the CD version. In a previous review I remarked how the CD sound quality was not the best, but adequate. This remastering brings back much of the original vitality and great sound quality that was in the LP version but lacking in the CD version. And all at a bargain price too! All Alkan (and Ronald Smith fans),don't hesitate to get this 2CD set. To have the symphony for piano and concerto in such fine quality sound again is a real treat for the ears. Most highly recommended!