Jeremy Lee writes
So far Vincenzo Maltempo’s Alkan cycle (that is, a complete survey of the composer’s magnum opus, 12 Etudes in all the minor keys Op. 39) has stacked up extremely well and revealed Maltempo as a thrillingly resourceful musician with formidable technique and intelligence. The present release Continue reading
Jeremy Lee writes
Maybe it’s a bit late to review this album, given my excitement when I announced the news of this album’s release two years ago on this blog. But better late than never! Maltempo has, by now, completed his Alkan Op. 39 cycle–the fourth so far, after Smith, McCallum and Gibbons–and Continue reading
Jeremy Lee writes
To mark the 25th anniversary of the passing of British virtuoso pianist John Ogdon in 1989, RCA has wisely exhumed his complete recordings for the label, and since Ogdon did not record prolifically for RCA (most of his recordings are for EMI) this original jacket collection fits snugly on 6 discs at Continue reading
Leonard Ip writes [translated from the Chinese by Jeremy Lee]
Charles-Valentin Alkan’s bicentenary just passed about a week ago, on the 30th of November. Even though Alkan was one of Chopin’s and Liszt’s best friends and most respected colleagues, to fans of this composer, the lack of any form of commotion from the major record labels on his anniversary is something they’ve all become accustomed to anyway. Thankfully, for his bicentenary, Continue reading
Jeremy Lee writes
Top Ear’s advocacy of the composer Charles-Valentin Alkan (1813-1888) is no secret. After all, we’ve reviewed a few albums of his works and even created a bicentenary box just for him (here). But who exactly was this composer, this elusive figure who spent most of his life in Continue reading
Jeremy Lee writes
I wanted to use the word “adequate” to describe this disc in my title, but seeing that my review of Alsop’s Brahms Requiem was also “adequate”, I had to resort to a less flattering term “acceptable”. Whatever it is–adequate, acceptable–you can tell that this release certainly Continue reading
Seemingly, most of the releases to celebrate Alkan’s bicentenary this year are by Piano Classics–sad that many major labels couldn’t be bothered to reissue their Alkan legacies long forgotten in their annals. At any rate, Top Ear is very happy that Piano Classics will be releasing 2 Alkan discs soon, generous and much-needed additions to the rather small pool of present Alkan recordings.
Vincenzo Maltempo continues his Alkan series on Piano Classics with this: the variations on a theme “Le Festin d’Esope” and Ouverture from the sprawling set of Op. 39 etudes, as well as Continue reading
Jeremy Lee and Leonard Ip write
Following enormous promotions and numerous releases on Chopin and Liszt’s 200th birth anniversaries in 2010 and 2011, what’s now left for their fellow composer-pianist Charles-Valentin Alkan’s this year is, to piano mavens, worrying. But rejoice, folks! Piano Classics has unearthed, from Continue reading
Jeremy Lee writes
This. Album. Needs. To. Be. More. Well. Known.
Yes, pianophiles who are aware of Alkan have to know that there is not only one great recording of Alkan’s Symphony or Concerto for solo piano. Like many other people, I was first introduced to Alkan by the technically unflappable recordings of Marc-André Hamelin, and I was pretty much convinced that they were Continue reading
Top Ear’s favorite composer you’ve never heard of, Charles-Valentin Alkan (1813-1888), celebrates his 200th birthday this year in November. To pay tribute to this amazing composer, pianist Stephanie McCallum will be recording Alkan’s complete Recueils de Chants, which is in turn five song-books in the style of Mendelssohn’s Lieder Ohne Worte and Grieg’s Lyric Pieces, each ending with a barcarolle. The first volume in the series will be released in Feburary 2013 on Toccata Classics.
Top Ear 