Alkan - 12 Etudes, op.35 | Piano Classics PCL10127

Alkan - 12 Etudes, op.35

Label: Piano Classics

Cat No: PCL10127

Format: CD

Number of Discs: 1

Genre: Instrumental

Release Date: 15th December 2017

Contents

About

A new recording of Alkan on Piano Classics, another milestone in Piano Classics’ crusade for the rehabilitation and recognition of Charles‐Valentin Alkan as one of the most original romantic composers of the 19th century.

The 12 Studies in all the Major Keys follow the key sequence of ascending fourths. The studies each tackle a certain technical feature (such as octaves, repeated notes, tremolos etc) but transcend the exercise level in their structure of a free fantasy or symphonic poem. Some have titles, like “Chant d’amour‐Chant de mort”, “L’incendie au village voisin”, while the famous F major study, a savage and exhilarating study in parallel octaves (mostly on the white keys) is called “Allegro barbaro”.

Mark Viner is recognized as one of the most exciting British pianists of his generation, and is becoming increasingly well‐known for his bold championing of unfamiliar repertoire. His earlier recordings for Piano Classics include an excellent Liszt Transcriptions recital and a remarkable recording of Thalberg Operatic Fantasies, which was enthusiastically hailed by the press: “An exceptional disc from a blazing young British talent” (Gramophone).

Mark Viner is chairman of the Alkan Society and has a busy concert schedule.

Reviews

Enhanced by unexaggerated and beautiful recorded sound, the playing makes a wonderful artistic case for an ultra-idiosyncratic idiom which, as Viner rightly insists in his booklet note, is very different from those of Alkan's stellar contemporaries, Chopin and Liszt. ... In short, Viner's recording is a remarkable release in every respect.  Malcolm Hayes (Instrumental Choice)
BBC Music Magazine March 2018
Viner rises to Alkans extraordinary challenges
The Guardian December 2017
This is simply an astonishing performance. Seemingly effortlessly, though always dramatically aware
The Sunday Times January 2018

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