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Malaka57 (November 19th, 2008 @ 1:45 pm)

I would like to agree with you there, Nigel. My first discovery of Alkan was an LP with Raymond Lewenthal playing (ca. 1977). It struck me as odd music. I had started the Barcarole and was very struck by the almost Debussy-like quality of the music. Lewenthal had a little exegesis of Alkan's music on it and pointed out how it harmonically forecast Mahler. On the other hand, those character pieces are so French Baroque in form, no?

trigalg693 (November 9th, 2008 @ 7:12 am)

A testimonial to Hamelin's greatness :) He is definitely one of the best pianists ever.

Nigel526 (October 16th, 2008 @ 10:34 pm)

When I consider your list, the latter 3 are irrelevant as they represent completely different eras in harmony. As do Beethoven and Bach respectively. When you look at Alkan's contemporaries and their harmonic language and the "typical" harmonic language of the period, Alkan's is very different. As well as how he uses the piano. One can get knocked upside the head by Alkan quite often. Very strange music. *shrug* anyway, there's my two sense. Have a good day!

Nigel526 (October 16th, 2008 @ 10:10 pm)

I couldnt disagree with you more lol :-). I firmly believe Alkan's Op. 33 and Op. 39 certainly stand with the above pieces. Not only for their sheer size and structure, but more importantly Alkan's very unique harmonic language. I think you might be concentrating on the mechanical aspect instead of the harmonic language? I think Hans von Bulow was accurate in calling Alkan, "the Berlioz of the piano."

VikingBerserker (October 1st, 2008 @ 4:24 pm)

Even Balakirev just thought it was a show piece.

102938z (September 17th, 2008 @ 7:21 pm)

Which ones are which?

102938z (September 17th, 2008 @ 7:21 pm)

In my opinion, Islamey is a virtuoso showpiece with almost no technical skill put into it. I think it's just stupid, no offense.

rvn10rvn17 (September 17th, 2008 @ 6:09 am)

i put Balakirev: Islamey

MrMiyagi11 (September 17th, 2008 @ 2:10 am)

eh. i love some of those pieces. and i really odnt lik eothers of them. =P

chu71 (August 27th, 2008 @ 8:03 pm)

i still think alkan is underrated, seen only as a challenge for virtuosi.

celach (August 25th, 2008 @ 2:14 am)

In -your- opinion :p, though you have a similar taste in music to me :)

102938z (August 22nd, 2008 @ 3:40 am)

I'm sorry, but I have to stand up for this. This is a great piece, but it just can't (in my opinion) stand up to the following pieces: Bach: Goldberg Variations Beethoven: Waldstein, Appassionata, Hammerklavier, Op. 109, 110, & 111 Chopin: Ballade No. 4, Etudes, Sonatas 2 and 3 Liszt: Sonata in B Minor Schumann: Symphonic Etudes, Fantasy, Carnaval, Kreisleriana Brahms: Sonata No. 3, Op. 116-119 Debussy: Preludes, Estampes Ravel: Jeux d'eau, Gaspard de la Nuit Scriabin: Sonatas 5, 8, & 9