Description
Book SynopsisAlkan: lonely 19th century genius, virtuoso pianist and also composer of some of the most difficult and disturbingly powerful piano music. After a long period of neglect his piano music is being discovered by an ever-widening public and played and recorded by some of the world's leading pianists. This edition, in two parts, was originally published in two separate volumes - the first dealth with the man, and the second was devoted solely to his music. With this reprint in one volume the books have been extensively revised, with two extra appendices added, and new bibliographies and discographies included.
Trade Review'This book, which contains a number of fascinating illustrations, should interest all lovers of 19th century piano music and introduces us to an uniquely historic figure.' - Humphrey Searle, HiFi News; 'This is a book to linger over and savour, and from which to gain much more knowledge of some of the greatest piano music ever written.' - Harold Truscott, Music & Musicians; 'I found this book completely absorbing.' - Max Harrison, Musical Opinion; 'I'll tell you how good this book is: it kept me from piano practice before an important engagement. I'm sure its wisdom will inform my future piano practice and compensate for what it stole today.' - Ronald Stevenson, Piano; "This is an excellent overview of the life and works of the greatest pianist who ever lived by one of his foremost interpreters. Even Liszt was intimidated by the thought of playing in front of Alkan! It is strongly recommended for all lovers of classical music, but for pianists, it is indispensible."
Table of ContentsBook 1: Alkan - The Man, Acknowledgements, Introduction, 1. Prodigy, 2. Virtuoso, 3. Delaborde, 4. A Lost Symphony, 5. The "Grande Sonate", 6. Marmontel, 7. Recluse, 8. Prometheus Bound, 9. Les Petit Concerts, 10. The Final Years, 11. The Death of Alkan, 12. Rescue of a Lost Cause, 13. Personality and Appearance, 14. The Reluctant Virtuoso, 15. The MusicIndex, Index of Alkan's Works, List of Illustrations, Family Tree of Alkan Morhange, Book 2: Alkan - The Music, Introduction and Acknowledgements, 1. Early Works, 2. The Concerti da Camera, 3. The Crystallisation of Style, 4. The Miniatures, 5. The Thirty Chants, 6. The Grande Sonate and Sonatine, 7. Trois Grandes Etudes Op.76, 8. Douze etudes Op.35, 9. Douze etudes Op.39, 10. Miscellaneous piano music, 11. Transcriptions and Cadenzas, 12. Chamber Music, 13. Orchestral and Vocal Music, 14. Organ or Pedal-piano? 15. Alkan's Creative Personality
