Charles Alkan: Concerto for Piano Solo (op.39 Nr.8-10) on CD

Eines seiner Steckenpferde ist die Klaviermusik von Charles-Valentin Alkan (1813–1888): Mit der vorliegenden Aufnahme legt Marc-André Hamelin bereits seine dritte CD bei Hyperion mit Werken des französischen Komponisten und Klaviervirtuosen Charles-Valentin Alkan vor.

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Alkan was one of the greatest composer-pianists in history, with a voice as original as Chopin or Liszt, and a technique that even Liszt admitted was the greatest he had ever known. His music is of surpassing difficulty, and fell into relative obscurity in an age where published music was frequently aimed at amateurs. Its greatness is undeniable—but it unquestionably requires performances of unceasing brilliance. Alkan's Concerto for solo piano is one of the great pianistic high-wire acts—an epic work which demands unprecedented levels of technical ability and physical stamina. It is conceived on a breathtakingly grand scale and is rich with both orchestral sonorities and lyrical pianistic passages. The Troisième recueil de chants is a delightful rarity, rescued here from oblivion by the wonderful Marc-André Hamelin, who with his transcendent technique is simply one of the greatest living performers of this intoxicating music.

Rezensionen

»Incredibly, Hamelin not only holds this massive work together but also makes it a satisfying musical experience … Hamelin scores with immaculate pianism and, in the lyric pieces, a deceptive simplicity« (Absolute Sound, USA)

»No piano lover should miss this absolutely transcendent, watershed release« (Classicstoday. com)

»Hamelin's playing here is as breathtaking as ever – it is hard to believe that a lot of it is humanly possible – but, more than simply a dazzling panoply of notes, it conveys a deep musical and expressive range« (Daily Telegraph)

»Hamelin deserves an Olympic gold medal for this extreme musical sport: I doubt that any other living pianist could carry off the work with such secure bedazzlement, not to mention infusing it with refulgent tone and downright charm« (Classic FM Magazine *****)

Reviews

A.​ Csampai in stereoplay 12/07: »Jetzt hat Marc-André Hamelin in seinem unstillbaren Drang nach Unspielbarem den Gipfel erstürmt und sich Alkans' Concerto pour piano solo' vorgenommen – eine pianistische Höllenfahrt, die an die Grenzen des manuell machbaren geht.​ Am meisten fasziniert mich seine Fähigkeit, dem wahrlich undurchdringlichen Notengestrüpp Sinn, Linie, Kantabilität abzugewinnen und sogar noch die vielen kleinen Doppelbödigkeiten und den vertrackten Witz dieses genialischen Exzentrikers zu enthüllen.​ Hamelin ist der wahre Virtuose – bei ihm transzendiert Technik in Musik.​«