Alkan, Charles-Valentin : Genius - Enigma

Description

This 3CD box set contains major cycles of Alkan's work: the complete Études in all minor keys Op. 39, the Sonata "Les quatre âges" and the Sonatine. These imposing works of unprecedented proportions, difficulty and originality form a landmark of 19th-century piano music, comparable only to Liszt's compositions in these genres. Alkan's profound musicality and humanity elevate these works from mere curiosities (or monstrosities...) to true and universal works of art. In just one album, Vincenzo Maltempo has established himself as one of the greatest interpreters of Charles Valentin Alkan's piano music. The young Italian has everything: musical taste, mastery of the longest structures, spirit, irony, and the superhuman technical abilities to overcome the most terrible difficulties, but most importantly: a passionate love for the works of the highly original Alkan. Maltempo's first two Alkan recordings for Piano Classics both received five Diapason awards and The Guardian: "... superb ... thrillingly demonic ... exhilarating, a true revelation ...!"