{"product_id":"mark-viner_charles-valentin-alkan-vingt-cinq-preludes-op-31_2026_disco-outhere-distribution-france","title":"Charles-Valentin Alkan : vingt-cinq préludes, op. 31","description":"A major addition to Alkan's repertoire, signed by a young virtuoso of the little-known Romantic piano repertoire. Published for the first time in 1847, these preludes form a set of pieces of great originality, marking Alkan's first foray into the genre of short cyclic pieces. This collection stands out for its consistently meditative and introspective approach to a genre recently redefined by Chopin. The tonal progression guides us through all major and minor keys, but instead of limiting itself to 24 keys, Alkan comes full circle with a twenty-fifth and final prelude in C major, thus completing the collection. Alkan conceived these Preludes as being performable on both piano and organ, and even as choral preludes or instrumental antiphons within the context of liturgy. However, these works have always been considered above all as piano music, though imbued with a often peaceful and meditative temperament, foreshadowing Liszt's mystical works such as the Harmonies poétiques et religieuses (recall that Liszt considered Alkan as the only true rival to his pianistic virtuosity). Mark Viner has made a name for himself performing Alkan's music and is widely recognized as one of the composer's most fervent advocates. \"His playing is never ostentatious,\" remarked The Guardian in its review of a previous Piano Classics album devoted to the Études op. 35: \"he insists that these are first and foremost profound explorations of early Romantic sensibility, and only secondarily extreme technical challenges, which is a thoroughly convincing approach to tackling some of the most remarkable piano works of their time.\" The Sunday Times praised Viner for \"transforming Alkan's torrents of austere notes into real music.\" This highly anticipated new album is enriched by an essay by Viner, written in a thorough and authoritative manner, which fully contextualizes the Preludes and their reception.","brand":"Mark Viner","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57475788046680,"sku":null,"price":20260128.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/vinyles.com\/en\/products\/mark-viner_charles-valentin-alkan-vingt-cinq-preludes-op-31_2026_disco-outhere-distribution-france","provider":"Vinyles.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}