Alkan: Trois Etudes de Bravoure: Prestissimo

[rknkbkiha40]

Sounds like the second movement of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9.

[y1g1tcn]

this piece doesnt have to be written such hard to give the same effect. it already have a beautiful and basic melodic structure.

[davtones]

@NewComposer01 Ronald Smith recorded Alkan's op.16 etudes! I believe you can find them on Keith Whalen's channel (KeithWhalen11).

[regiear1991]

@NewComposer01 Actually, there's a professional pianist who recorded this, and it should be somewhere here in youtube. Obviously it's not as perfect as this digital rendition, but at least it's something.

[Namnetia]

What a nice etude! It's wild, yet has a funny trio - very Alkan-like. I was completely into it, and was somehow disappointed not to have any applaud at the end...

[smirnov452]

This has to be the hardest piano piece ever. I dont believe Liszt was the most technically gifted pianist anymore. Im thinking Alkan.

[DucaBattaglia]

Oh MY GOD. Alkan is Diabolik

[exelpaperclip123]

2:31 - 2:44 AMAZING!

[darkblueangel1956]

PLAYED BY DIGITAL PIANIST MICHAEL NANASAKOV !!!! Good, beautiful but..... not real human performing !!!!! Truly better record is Marc André Hamelin, not anyone else ! Please hear him ! ! ! STOP VIRTUAL FAKE !

[AkLvKk]

5:41 to 6:03 is brilliant! The arpeggios sound brilliant! I'm going to try playing those arpeggios! it sounds so wonderful! this is passion! :P

[cyril0697]

who listenned to 5:46 ,any many times?

[mcrflyleafdisturbed]

@cyril0697 Me :)

[thx113829000]

@cyril0697 Me. As i usually do with Alkan's code (codas) :)

[anonymousQ45]

@cyril0697 yes its incredible

[pa156]

What is the Opus number of this piece?

[thx113829000]

@pa156 Op. 16

[s1earle]

Ronald Smith made a good recording of this piece.

[Laudan08]

Where's the law that forbids you from making near-impossibly difficult pieces?!?!

[Erikk91]

boring...

[mcrflyleafdisturbed]

@Erikk91 I'm interested as to what kind of music you think is interesting if you find this boring...

[exelpaperclip123]

@Erikk91 Yes you are.

[brandonok14]

It's boring like Mendelssohn, just dressed up in crude, difficult-to-play figuration and a ridiculous tempo.

[Ilkeyrion]

@brandonok14 Mendelssohn is far from boring. It's not dressed up, and because it's difficult to play, it's amazing! There is nothing ridiculous about the tempo. Let's see you write something like this, eh?

[Vesivian]

Lol why do people say that '' NO ONE CAN PLAY THIS'' when the composer can?

[thx113829000]

@Vesivian Perhaps because Alkan was the greatest pianist of all time ? hehe :)

[MertezAad]

@Vesivian Maybe some piano pieces were only meant for the composer to play?

[Vesivian]

@MertezAad Look here are you blind or something? LOOK AT THE RELATED VIDEOS DAMMIT CAN YOU NOT SEE SOMEONE PLAYING IT YESSSH AND YES IT IS THE Alkan : Trois Etudes Bravoure (Scherzi) No,3

[MertezAad]

@Vesivian Wow, calm down. I was just quoting Sorabji: "You claim that I write monstrosities which only the composer can play. What if they were meant only for the composer?" And yes, other pianists CAN play it, but can they play it the way the composer intended (correct tempo)?

[Vesivian]

@MertezAad >_> i havent a clue

[paopaomanalansan]

Is this played by software?

[Xcelerate2]

5:28 to the end is beautiful!

[openmindspace]

im going to try :P

[theDON535]

"Beautiful monstrosity." YUP

Am I not the only one who can't stop replaying this? :D

[mkeysou812]

this piece is alright if you skip past the boring bits

[123eldest]

@mkeysou812 Yeh and it's even better if you don't!!!

[ultracoolhomies]

Islamey is like a tube of toothpaste compared to this.

[CodyNelsonMusic]

Though his technique was unmatched. His spirit was only limited by his hands themselves... I'll bet he often looked at them in disgust because they couldn't do what he wanted. I think there's much Alkan that's been left unwritten...

[Angel94angel94]

I hate when you say humans can't play this and things like it's impossible because i want to learn it and i will!

[regiear1991]

Now THAT'S dedication! I look forward to hearing you when you do finish learning it.

[Angel94angel94]

i'll take years and years before i can start learning it, but i don't like when someone says it's impossible

[regiear1991]

Yeah, same here. Some people even claimed that "Islamey" was impossible just because Balkierev (excuse my spelling of his name) couldn't play it.

[OrangeSodaKing]

@regiear1991 I think Balakirev could play it, but I read somewhere that he said there are some passages that are a little too much for him to handle, so he probably didn't play as well as he wishes he could. I may be wrong though. Whose performance of Islamey do you like the most?

[thegreatapologist]

@regiear1991 That's funny, because according to what I've heard, Liszt found it a fun piece to play.

[cyril0697]

@Angel94angel94 dear angel i learn it and im 13 years old so it is possible!!! XD i love it and i hate people who dont believe it me. they say: you cant play that you arent good! but they dont know what i can!! i love it so much this song i love it!! XD

[FranzLisztian]

@Angel94angel94

Not impossible, but difficult!

[eurisko618]

@Angel94angel94 This piece isn't "impossible" for a human to play, but the tempo in the fastest parts as rendered here would be virtually impossible to pull off, and frankly I think the intense speed here is uncalled for and takes away from the enjoyment of the music.

[sarita2014]

@Angel94angel94

rite all these damn players think americans cant do sh@!....lol

[300percentme]

@Angel94angel94

I totally agree! I am a firm believer that anything is possible if you want it enough. First piece I learned was revolutionary by Chopin, when I started I could barely read music, in fact I'm still learning it, it's been about a year and I almost have it all up to speed. 160. it's insane, but it is possible. I'm going to start learning Le Pruex sometime in the near future, I hope to be able to play up to speed by the time I'm 25 :P

[anonymousQ45]

@300percentme you have drive

[hjiuhfhrehui]

@Angel94angel94

THATS THE SPIRIT !!!!. xD. dont are about comments like : its impossible :P.

your just like me xD. if people say its impossible or almost impossible i want to lern it xD.

but if you keeeeeep practicing and never give up. ( even if it takes you years of practice ) you can play what you want. ( exept circus galop from hamelin xD not possible by one person :P )

[Vesivian]

@Angel94angel94 Well tell them they are wrong! Someone already has palyed it, ORANGESODAKING :O

[OrangeSodaKing]

@Vesivian I haven't played this piece, but Ronald Smith has, and you can find that recording here on YouTube.

[F14Lolcat]

@Angel94angel94 Good luck on that one.

[040010551]

lovely

[hotbebimauz]

alkan is so crazy

[FranzLisztian]

There's something with Alkan's études that just has this...Alkan feeling. Alkan is very unique, great harmonies and complex great etudes (and pieces overall, actually).

After Franz Liszt, Alkan is my favorite composer.

[wborgstro]

I AM LEFT SPEECHLESS AFTER HEARING THIS WONDERFUL MUSIC, BOTH ARTIST AND COMPOSER. I love it. Thanks for posting for sure. I have over 25,000 views and I place this music near the very top.

[123eldest]

Yeh Alkan is brilliant

[cmcas]

WTF is that!!!?

[flouz2]

@cmcas something humans can't touch

[Starbirdy9999]

I don't think anyone can play this...

[ultracoolhomies]

Ronald Smith has recorded it.

[Starbirdy9999]

Oh.

[soyelreferi99]

JESUS CHRIST !!!!!!!

[DEEZA95]

I think recording is accelerated...

The "8 bit video game part" sounds like that...

[addeex1]

It's a digital pianist...

[Jim341046]

I can't believe that was a recording!!! It was so hard I though it had to be a MIDI file. Amazing!

[addeex1]

It's a digital pianist. A midi used in a more advanced program.

[Angel94angel94]

Alkan for the win!

[TheJgutierrez]

What the !?

[MEpianist]

Who can play octaves like that?

[flouz2]

@MEpianist Cziffra, Kissin

[MEpianist]

I doubt it, I just heard Cziffra's Hungarian Rhapsody 6, and it was very human. This recording however, is unhuman.

[flouz2]

@MEpianist i can't remember the name of it but there's one video of Cziffra playing with an orchestra, a Lizst piece and he makes one hell of a glissando in octaves.....wait until I find it i give you the link to show you how "non human" this guy was, but spectacularly sensitive !!! My favourite (with Kissin)

[MEpianist]

I agree with you, actually, check this out:

/watch?v=7pJBzXdIdak

[8aetroya8]

Alkan really wasn't very musical at all

[Jim341046]

Terrifying!

[SwePianoholic]

I love this, music = humour ;)))

[kastlesucksTDOTS]

HAHAHAHA, (trio)

[kasyapa]

oh.

god.

goddess!

[Marchawc]

This is may not be a conventional "performance", but it certainly worked for me as a listener. Very well done Michael Nanasakov and Regie Ramos! How about producing Alkan's 'Le Chemin de Fer' (étude, op.27) by the same methods?

[hailkayy]

Someone played this without any mistake at this speed ? Maaann, the last part is crazy, look at it ! I would have loved to see the pianist's hands

[OrangeSodaKing]

I think this was a digitally recorded version. But Ronald Smith has recorded it, and maybe other pianists.

[hailkayy]

Digital means with something linked to fingers if i am not wrong so its a real recording that's no computer playing.

[xiangyik]

It is a computer playing. Digital does not mean "linked to digits" when used in this sense. Every pianist plays with fingers, so there's no point calling someone a "digital" pianist.

[hailkayy]

You fukin right !

[braintist]

Damn... how I wished I could meet Alkan...

[addeex1]

Hahaha that trio part sounded very... "realistic" :P

Otherwise I gotta play this someday :) Sound REALLY REALY fun :D

[GaryPansey]

EXCELLENT! Nice job with the "whirlwind" effect dynamics at 5 mins.

[Vook]

Good Lord.

[jasonextreme]

...Okay.

Where do I even begin to talk about attempting such a beautiful montrousity...

[Marcomedina]

no talking, just TRY IT!!! Just remember, it's just a bunch of awesomely arranged notes, they aren't gonna kill you lol

[ReturnOfTheStienway]

hahahah

I laughed at that 8 bit part.

Really good piece... I need to try to play it one day

[NylonSixString]

from 2:32 to 2:36 its sounds a bit spanish!

[regiear1991]

Yeah, it does haha. It also sounds like that one part in the Carmen opera.

[Ilkeyrion]

@regiear1991 Carmen was a French Opera about a Gypsy...

[John27346]

Yeah. Like a Tarantella

[akkadian4eyes]

The Alkanist Ronald Smith recorded this.

[hyperkeyboard91]

But....this piece should be played as fast as the performance in this vid?(i can't speak english very well XP)

[regiear1991]

Ah, don't worry about the English part, I don't really care. Yeah, the piece is set at prestissimo as the title suggests.(200+ M.M. ?). That trio part sounds unreal, but it's at prestissimamente and is supposed to sound "playful." But after all, it's speculation based on words, and the pianist can play it as fast as he wants to based on his judgement. It all depends on the nature of the piece.

[hyperkeyboard91]

ok,thanks ;-)!

[ultracoolhomies]

Brilliant piece. What a mind Alkan possessed.

[kasyapa]

extraordinary music, of course - this is alkan, after all.

"carmen" from 2:32-2:43??

[havenotname]

thanks for posting

I like this music

exactly, Alkan is Genius !

[regiear1991]

Your welcome :). I'm thinking about posting some more of Alkan's works that aren't on Youtube, and I will add the sheet music as well.

[talonboy5432]

Thanks for posting this.I believe Alkan should wholly and righteously be among the "Greats" of Classical music,beside Chopin and Liszt.

[regiear1991]

I totally agree with you on that one. You know, if Alkan wasn't as "misanthropic" as some sources claim, do you think Lisztomania would have been replaced by Alkanomania? If Most of Alkan's difficult etudes surpass the Transcendental etudes, that IS something.

[talonboy5432]

Of course!Because of this huge technical demand in his pieces have led people into thinking it was impossible!But I feel that it is worth it as Alkan's hoard of pieces are simply too good to pass up.I,myself,am currently learning his Allegro Barbaro and its not a cakewalk either,even if my octaves are strong!I am 15 so its probably why I feel its harder.Older players would probably not feel as much since they would probably have more stamina.

[regiear1991]

Yeah I'm almost done learning that one and his G major etude as well. They're actually his easier etudes out of the bunch. Man, how I do long for the day where I can actually attempt the fourth movement of his Symphony for solo piano (Op. 39 no. 7)

[talonboy5432]

I'd like to play the final movement of his Symphony.I still got a long way to go though,I'm 15 only(16 this year but what the heck)At any rate,I think I'll pick up his Op.39 No.12 Etude later...It contains much more substantial musical substance than Allegro Barbaro.

Wish me luck!

[regiear1991]

Yup, good luck with Allegro Barbaro! About the musical thing, you're right on that one. I believe that Allegro Barbaro is more of an endurance etude since there are only common techniques in it, plus everything is played on the white keys.

[talonboy5432]

Thanks!

As I said above,I'm 15 so I have high hopes on studying the piano.I finished 4 out of 6 pages of it already and I intend to showcase it on a piano competition soon.Spread the works of Alkan!

I feel like attempting Le Preux however...Well see how it turns out.Good luck on your pieces!

[regiear1991]

Yeah, more people should play his pieces, then his popularity would probably increase dramatically. You wouldn't believe how many music majors I talked to said that they didn't know Alkan :P.

[pchk1]

Curious - Why put "played" in quotes?

What is a "digital pianist"?

[regiear1991]

Michael Nanasakov is an alias of a real man (Michael Nanasawa) who used some sort of midi program and one of those pianos that have a digital piano roll player to make it seem as if a real person is playing it. What he did is that he placed this piano in an actual recording studio and recorded it from there. This piece and "Le Preux" in my profile are from an album known as "In 1837. Lots of individuals know Nanasawa's alias as a "digital pianist" so I decided to use the same label.

[4candles]

This was recorded by the late Ronald Smith - the recording was re-issued on the EMI label in 2002. It's available on Amazon. Although good, this is definitely not one of Alkan's best works. Check out some of his other stuff, which is generally fantastic.

[regiear1991]

Yeah I heard the recording on youtube (the one without the sheet music), but it never actually interested me. And regarding Alkan's other stuff, believe me, I actually listened to all of the available pieces, whether it was with mp3's or with midis.