Haydn: Violin Concertos - CD

ENGLISH

<br><br>Charles Valentin Morhange (1813-88) who adopted the surname Alkan, is surely one of the most eccentric figures in 19th century classical music. Probably one of the most prodigiously gifted virtuosos of all time, he was nicknamed ‘The Berlioz of the Piano. He wrote almost exclusively for solo piano, yet preferred during his short public career as a pianist to play. A reclusive figure, he lived alone in his apartment in Paris (with only his parrot for company), and met an unfortunate end crushed under a bookcase that fell on him as he reached for a copy of the Talmud – he was also a scholar of Judaism. <br /> <br /> In his early twenties he played for Cramer and Moscheles, and became a lifelong friend of Chopin, as well the next door neighbour of Chopin and George Sand in the Square d’Orleans. He also was friends with Liszt, Hiller, Berlioz and Mendelssohn. His music presents huge technical challenges for the performer, and within his mind boggling set of 12 Etude op39 is a full length Symphony and a Concerto for solo piano – the first movement of the latter running to 30 minutes – some etude!<br /> <br /> This 3CD set allows the listener to explore a good selection of this fascinating composer’s output. Much of the music is beautiful, and much is of hair-raising difficulty. Alkan is a major figure among 19th century composers for the piano.<br /> <br /> This set includes the Symphony and the Grande Sonate ‘Les Quatre Ages’.<br /> <br /> Other information:<br /> - Features recordings made on an 1858 Pleyel grand piano of the type used by Alkan.<br /> - Extensive booklet notes written by Stanley Hoogland.<br /> - Of interest to all piano enthusiasts.