French composer and pianist Charles-Valentin Alkan is remembered primarily for his highly challenging compositions for the piano, the virtuosity of which attest to his own considerable abilities as a concert pianist. A contemporary of Franz Liszt (with whom he is frequently compared), Alkan performed with Frederic Chopin and associated with many of the Parisian artistic elite such as Alexandre Dumas, Victor Hugo, and George Sand. He led, however, a strangely isolated life, periodically retreating from society. This, and the fact that his music is so difficult to play, may account for his relative obscurity. The Sonatine is of Alkan's mature works (ca. 1862), and one of four sonatas he would compose during his career. The opening Allegro vivace is tightly conceived and economical in its use of thematic material. An impressive fugal section in the development is a highpoint. The Allegramente has a charming childlike innocence. The Scherzo-Minuet is technically demanding in constant motion, with a sublimely restful trio section. Finally, the Tempo giusto/Coda is vintage Alkan: dramatic, virtuosic, and interspersed with moments of profoundly lyrical poetry. Readers are encouraged to listen to Alkan's Grande Sonate "Les Quatre Ages", Op. 33 and Le festin d'Esope, Op. 39, No. 1. (AllMusic)
Nothing worse than a pianist that rushes through sometimes random, but oftentimes, the easiest parts of the score. He certainly lives up to his last name.
@@LeSheetMusicBoi I could, but then I'd have to listen to it again. One example from memory - The first series of chords in the 3rd movement that come just before the repeat.
@@gabindupuy6036 also.....this might be kinda random and creepy but I saw you have Prokofiev's op. 2 etudes in your favorites playlist and I want to make sure you know about Reakellio's recording of them. I think it's way better than Chiu's.
Lots and lots of sequences and lots and lots of silly piano figurations. He writes for the piano in an almost classical style or kind of like early Mendelssohn, just dressed up in weird ways. I have been listening to this guy for 25 years and I don’t get it. Such weird music. Maybe that’s why people like it, but is weird in an unpleasant way to me.
I have to say... his music is definetely really hard and the technique required to play them is incredible. But musically... its boring. There are few good works from him. But there is a reason why he is less famous than chopin and Liszt. In my opinion its mostly pure virtuosity with lack of musicality
@@LeSheetMusicBoi I do Love virtuosity. Liszt is my favourite composer. But in my opinion its just that alkans pieces lack Emotion and passion. Liszt combined virtuosity with beauty and musicality. But I miss those things in MOST pieces of alkan. There are a few nice tho
@Jérôme Lemieux Well its different for everyone. I Undertsnad liszt pretty well. He was one of the first composers I listened to, I know quite a lot about him and his music was there in my most difficult time of life. So he has a meaning for me. And that kinda Influences my opinion ofc. But even when I just compare them... I find liszt much more interesting. He was experimenting quite a lot. He surely was a genius. Alkan surely was good as well. But his style doesnt take my Interest.
