Alkan - Concerto for Solo Piano - I. (Hamelin) [1/3]

[FranzLisztFerentz]

Alkan = Liszt's successor 

[FlyingBlackAndWhite]

probably the hardest piece ever written too.

[Kolestarol]

stop fighting!!! my balls just exploded.......

[electrocompany]

How is this compared to the Jack Gibbons version? What you people think?!

[FlyingBlackAndWhite]

@electrocompany they seem the same to me LOL

[Yamsareverytasty]

@electrocompany This is much more technically accomplished than gibbons, and he get's the lyrical line sounding much nicer than gibbons. So much power, and contrast. Hamelin wins this one hands down

[FlyingBlackAndWhite]

@Yamsareverytasty TRUE TRUE

[Corleone1337]

@electrocompany I actually prefer Jack Gibbon's rendition of the first movement, but think Hamelin's 3rd movement is godlike. In any case, I like how both play the whole concerto :)

[cedricrlongreen]

My favorite piece

[jsbachbwv543]

I just bought all the Hamelin etudes from the Hyperion website. Woohoo! Now if someone could just convince him to play a little Bach!

[OrangeSodaKing]

This matches the fire and energy of John Ogdon's recording!

[fr3d420]

Haha, that one guy paid 10 bucks for this song, i just converted it for free. :P SUCKER

[musicfanof]

@fr3d420 yes.... nice job taking money out of marc's pocket by not buying the album. there is a reason musicians starve

[fr3d420]

@musicfanof BOO FUCKING HOO. I Do NOT Give a shit about the money hes trying to make... he can get a real fucking job like the rest of us.

[horekar]

@fr3d420 He dont have a real job? You can go get a real personality asshole...

[twooffour]

@fr3d420

Convert what you want, but accusing a hard-working, active musician, or ANY gigging musician of "not have a real job" is moronic beyond belief.

[fr3d420]

@twooffour The only thing moronic beyond belief here is your stupid ass comment... I can write some music right now... I dont need to be inspired by MONEY. Just so happens you fucks are poor. not my fault.

[twooffour]

@fr3d420 @fr3d420

Writing complex music, recording and gigging around the globe, and that on a PROFESSIONAL level of quality, and with a perfectionist attitude at that, mostly requires full-time work not really compatible with working 8 hours at a factory at the same time.

The music you can "write" right now, how good is it? On what level? Is it any advanced? Can you sit down at an instrument and pull off stunning technical feats?

[twooffour]

@fr3d420

No response, thought so ;)

[twooffour]

@musicfanof

Relax, he does get his share from concerts and people buying the album.

[horekar]

@fr3d420 You're the "SUCKER" for converting it for free you moron:(

[moyte1]

this song is HARD

[muslit]

zero temperament

[hjiuhfhrehui]

i wonder if hamelin has a youtube account :P

[almostlasse123]

not human.

[algrand90]

@almostlasse123

hello i just to want your opinion as a classical music fan about the electric clasical guitarists AKA shredders like yngwie malmsteen

[zielarzopl]

Very underrated composer. But WHY?

[demosj]

"Alkan has finally found his man."

-Mark Swed of the Los Angeles Times on Marc-Andre Hamelin

[scordatura]

I listened to this several times over the last few days, and today at work, i kept thinking about it. So I went to Itunes just now and was glad to find that Hamelin's recording is there for just $9.99. Pre-itunes, this would have been like $25 or something. what a bargain. Just downloaded it now.

Hamelin is an amazing musician. one of the things i like about seeing him on video is you'd think we was playing something easy, when he's doing something really difficult.

[serox901]

is this a bootleg recording?

[theblackpiano]

beautiful composition

[pookiehohn]

Concerto for solo piano? Contradictory?

[EdiEllerymissing]

A little bit, but it was Alkan. He was no the more inteligent composer from the 19th century.

[JakWho92]

have you heart it fully already? =)

It has epic porportions

[OrangeSodaKing]

Maybe he just wanted pianists to try to think more orchestrally whenever they play. Somebody orchestrated the first movement of this, by the way.

An orchestrated concerto for solo piano. Now THAT'S contradictory! ;)

[ReturnOfTheStienway]

I AM BACK.

[pookiehohn]

From whence, dear sir?

[ReturnOfTheStienway]

Try to find the channels 'ivrykeys' and 'stienwayz' on YouTube.

[lhrmeonom]

@ReturnOfTheStienway Did you know you misspelled Steinway? xD

[trigalg693]

A testimonial to Hamelin's greatness :)

He is definitely one of the best pianists ever.

[chu71]

i still think alkan is underrated, seen only as a challenge for virtuosi.

[VerdeBrilliante]

Sorry to all who had to read the comment below; I was replying to stacysucksviacom.

[Skygrapped]

that is the greatest piece ever written for piano

[102938z]

I'm sorry, but I have to stand up for this. This is a great piece, but it just can't (in my opinion) stand up to the following pieces:

Bach: Goldberg Variations

Beethoven: Waldstein, Appassionata, Hammerklavier, Op. 109, 110, & 111

Chopin: Ballade No. 4, Etudes, Sonatas 2 and 3

Liszt: Sonata in B Minor

Schumann: Symphonic Etudes, Fantasy, Carnaval, Kreisleriana

Brahms: Sonata No. 3, Op. 116-119

Debussy: Preludes, Estampes

Ravel: Jeux d'eau, Gaspard de la Nuit

Scriabin: Sonatas 5, 8, & 9

[celach]

In -your- opinion :p, though you have a similar taste in music to me :)

[MrMiyagi11]

eh. i love some of those pieces.

and i really odnt lik eothers of them.

=P

[102938z]

Which ones are which?

[rvn10rvn17]

i put Balakirev: Islamey

[102938z]

In my opinion, Islamey is a virtuoso showpiece with almost no technical skill put into it. I think it's just stupid, no offense.

[VikingBerserker]

Even Balakirev just thought it was a show piece.

[Nigel526]

I couldnt disagree with you more lol :-). I firmly believe Alkan's Op. 33 and Op. 39 certainly stand with the above pieces. Not only for their sheer size and structure, but more importantly Alkan's very unique harmonic language. I think you might be concentrating on the mechanical aspect instead of the harmonic language? I think Hans von Bulow was accurate in calling Alkan, "the Berlioz of the piano."

[Nigel526]

When I consider your list, the latter 3 are irrelevant as they represent completely different eras in harmony. As do Beethoven and Bach respectively. When you look at Alkan's contemporaries and their harmonic language and the "typical" harmonic language of the period, Alkan's is very different. As well as how he uses the piano. One can get knocked upside the head by Alkan quite often. Very strange music.

*shrug* anyway, there's my two sense. Have a good day!

[Malaka57]

I would like to agree with you there, Nigel. My first discovery of Alkan was an LP with Raymond Lewenthal playing (ca. 1977). It struck me as odd music. I had started the Barcarole and was very struck by the almost Debussy-like quality of the music. Lewenthal had a little exegesis of Alkan's music on it and pointed out how it harmonically forecast Mahler. On the other hand, those character pieces are so French Baroque in form, no?

[Androslav]

Chopin's etudes are not crappy at all..they are brilliant form every aspect

[EdiEllerymissing]

keep your opinion for yourself. You have no idea of what are you talking about.

[morvensky]

I think that it is not that I know what I am talking about, me thinking they are crappy may be a personal, idiosyncratic opinion or I may feel the need to not like them because so many other people like them and a lot of the time I feel rebellious against the popular opinion.  Anyway, maybe I should keep my opinion to myself because 1. people such as yourself will be an ass about it and 2. the Chopin etudes have nothing to do with this Alkan piece. but I am completely allowed to state my opinion

[EdiEllerymissing]

I'm not less ass than you. You may dislike Chopin etudes, that is very very different that say they are "crap as musical pieces". They are a exceptional musical pieces. There is a reason because Chopin is considered one of the best romantic composers and Alkan is almost a stranger for most of the people. One thing is your opinion and other very different is to judge and compare a genius like Chopin. I'm an ass, but you're an ass and an idiot. I'll insist, keep your opinion for yourself.

[morvensky]

I was probably overstating my opinion. I think that they are mostly for technical purposes as oppose to say the Scriabin etudes which are fully musical pieces with technical feats and aren't as straight up technically as the Chopin etudes. They may be exceptional musical pieces but I don't think they stand up to the other pieces he named and I think the preludes are better musical pieces. I don't think it's fair to call me an ass or an idiot and I don't think it is fair to call you an ass either

[thunder1909]

When you say 'there's a reason why Alkan is almost a stranger for most of the people',. what exactly are you implying? Is it because you don't believe his music is exceptional?

[morvensky]

and please not I was not calling you an ass, I was saying you were being an ass (but I was probably being an ass when I made the initial comment),

[staystilljason]

lol you two are funny.

[eltachimetro]

i agree xD

[thunder1909]

To morvensky:

You deserve to burn in hell you stupid son of bitch. Please go die a painful death, perhaps the one Chopin had to die himself. Your views are absolutely distorted, and you have offended me completely. If I had the chance I would hunt you down and burn your house, but unfortunatly that's illegal.

[morvensky]

How come it seems lie every other day someone has to reply in a very nasty way to my comment that I said in to harsh of a way? and if I don't like two books of miniatures that are primary to imrpove technique why do I "deserve to burn in hell" and why would you want to "hunt me down and burn down my house" because I have an idiosyncratic opinion? and just wondering, how have I offended you because I don't like the Chopin etudes?

[thunder1909]

No, you have a freedom of opinion, it's just the way you voiced yourself and how you described the etudes. Even now, you still prove your stupidity by calling the etudes 'miniatures'. Well, I guess it's a start, as they arent 'crap as musical pieces' anymore in your opinion. Just please stop this nonsense, and atleast convey your opinions in a more appropriate manner.

[morvensky]

Well the term 'miniatures' may differ amongst people. Mine is a piece below 5 minutes, usually part of a set which fits the bill for the etudes. I probably described my opinion in the wrong way so let me restate it:

I actually don't like the Chopin etudes that much. I think they are mostly for technique than they are as musical pieces. I don't think they belong with such pieces as the Liszt sonata since I think the preludes are much better.

[EdiEllerymissing]

Your conception if miniatures has nothing to do with the real miniature conception. It's more based on the material economy and it hasn't to be part of a set.

Of course Chopin etudes are mostly technical, they are ETUDES. They are, anyway, beautiful musical pieces, not compared to Hummel, Henselt, Cramer, Czerny or even Alkan etudes. I don't se how to compare a Chopin etude with the Liszt sonata. It's like compare a Beethoven symphony with a Bach invention... It's kind of stupid, really.

[morvensky]

If that is the real conception of a miniature I was not aware of that. My conception of it is any piece that is mini in size (not in essence). Maybe the original comment was ignorant but my point was not. I am getting sick of people messaging me about that comment that I said like 3 months ago since so many people keep giving me nasty responses. If you would like me to rephrase it than I will.

[EdiEllerymissing]

And I'm not saying a Beethoven symphony is better than a Bach invention, I'm just saying that they are very diferent musical pieces with a totally diferent aim. The same case with Liszt sonata and Chopin etudes. I won't find wise to compare even a Chopin sonata with the Liszt sonata. They are both exceptional composers with a very different musical conception of the sound. I think you need to study a lot more of music and history theory. I found your comments very ignorant.

[morvensky]

I was not comparing the Chopin etudes with the Liszt Sonata. I had compared the Chopin etudes with the Scriabin etudes which seems like a legitimate comparison to me. The initiative comment (which I admittedly overstated) was to say how the Chopin etudes are not as good as musical pieces as the one he had previously stated, and why would you think I need to study a lot more about music when you have not really talked to me about music (you have merely read a comment which I had not stated right)

[morvensky]

Well that is your opinion which I respect as much (if not more) than my own. I like some of the Chopin etudes as much as I like the Liszt sonata (not considering size as a factor, because if I was I would say I prefer the Liszt sonata). I don't see how you can hate it that much but whatever. I think the worst work he composed is the Grand Galop Chromatique, just technical nonsense.

[twooffour]

Then I suppose the light, humouristic and ecstatic character the Galop carries in its compositional aspects, is mere imagination?

[morvensky]

In response too?

[anonymousQ45]

are you talking to me?

[morvensky]

No, I was talking too Twooffour.

[twooffour]

I seriously wonder if your definitions of "contrast" (esp. in reference to 25/12) and "banging" have anything to do with those in the dictionary.

[anonymousQ45]

i have to say now that 2 months ago i made an ignorant statement. i did not take the time to listen to the B minor sonata in its entirety. i listened to about 30 seconds of the first movt and judged it on that alone, but after listening to the whole thing, especially the second movt, i enjoyed it very much

[ethositachi]

I've listened to this song a few times now, and it just keeps getting better!

Amazing... Would love to be able to play this some day

[johnbaptistlulu]

please, forgive my ignorance, but why is this piece called a concerto? isn't a concerto without an orchestra a sonata?

[nostromissimo]

It was envisioned as a concerto, but one that could be played without the need for an orchestra. don't forget, Alkan was a bit eccentric. Aside from the obvious difficulties, the player also has to make it sound like an orchestra too!

[123876724]

it don't need an orchestra, because this song just combine all the instrument together and this piano solo is a combination. Close your eyes and listen to the CDs, you will think this is not a solo, is just a orchestra play together. try it! =]

[johnbaptistlulu]

thanks a lot everyone, i get the picture now! always glad to learn something new about music:)

thanks!

[Hopfensperger]

The word "concerto" generally implies a struggle between two forces. (Did Alkan intend a clash of lyric and violent moods?) It has become a common term to describe a piece for soloist and orchestra, you are quite right.

This work certainly revels in virtuosity, a common characteristic of the modern concerto. Perhaps this is all that Alkan meant.

Perhaps it is a concerto, rather than the more classical "sonata," because its focus is not so strictly on moving between tonic - dominant - tonic.

[Haeronthegreat]

It's essentially just a bit of pretentiousness from mister Alkan. It's not only a challenge technically, but there's also the challenge of creating two distinct sounds with one instrument. It's got orchestral writing, then the piano solo sections.

[kiisaka]

MAH is simply amazing at what he does. There are so few recordings of this magnificent piece, and every interpretation presented adds to the history. Please take a look at my performance from the Cliburn Amateurs 2007. You should find it easily by searching for Iisaka Alkan.

[jiolsmolimassunemo]

i must give props to hamelin for being... a very good robot. yes, technically speaking, he's very good indeed. but he is a machine. when you get past how clear his playing is, and how many notes he hits, you realize... well it's boring. his playing is too mechanical. to hear a musically superior interpretation of this piece, listen to john odgon's recording. he has the technique and the musicality to go with it, unlike hamelin.

[DeTinux]

I own that recording and I find Mr Ogdon's playing boring as hell. Altough not everybody sees Hamelin's subtle emotions (which will be less difficult however on his new recording), they are here and I would not call this mechanical playing. It's just very accurate, unlike Ogdon. All of us have different opinions. :)

[jiolsmolimassunemo]

yea, i can respect that.

[alkanlover]

Jiolsmolimassunemo: If you like John Ogdon's interpretation of Alkan's Concerto you should check out Gibbons' fabulous performance of the piece which I has just been uploaded to YouTube. For me Gibbons is by far the most authoritative Alkan interpreter I've heard.

[jiolsmolimassunemo]

hmmm thank you very much for the recommendation... Gibbons playing is marvelous!

[afertyus1000]

i've seen volodos,hamelin,hough etc etc it's daft to run these virtuosi down they are all master musicians of the highest calibre,we can have our favourites but i don't think we can dismiss the remainder with trite comments especially on youtube as there is not enough space and no real discussion

[TheSanityInspector]

Amazing. It's too bad Alkan wasn't more of a publicity hog, else he'd be as famous as Liszt and the other great 19th century piano virtuosi.

[guldklimp]

I really love alkan.. but this consert is better when it's orchestra and paino...

[Baddboy187]

that looks so easy

[incrediblub]

I think I can find it in me to forgive him his lack of dynamic "verve." (Why must you use that word?)

[methecsgod]

Hamelin is a bit robotic, but his technique is very good. He surely makes Alkan listenable.

[Brianjonestown]

He's become a master at unearthing obscure piano works, perhaps because if he played only the standard concert repertoire, people would quickly realize he has all the dynamic verve of a lobotomized sloth

[Babak2Tube]

"dynamic verve of a lobotomized sloth"

HAHAHA

I totally disagree. He's a great pianist. But that's an awesome quote!

[Frozentoes1]

It's always interesting how those who are jealous and/or have such low self-esteem seem to find comfort in putting others down. Now, had you even bothered to actually listen to his many recordings of the "standard" repertoire before making such generalizations, you would quickly discover the sheer artistry and poetry of this super-virtuoso. Then again, perhaps Hamelin is beyound you limited musical understanding.

[Brianjonestown]

Frozentoes, you should earn to read, spell and think before you take shots at people. I would not have made the comment if I hadn't attended his concerts and listened to his Brahms and Scriabin recordings, among others. Hamelin's technique surpasses all recorded pianists in history by many furlongs, but we're still waiting for the "sheer artistry and poetry" of which you speak. His sound is impossibly glib and his concerts are like sumo wrestling tournaments with several missing floor mats.

[Frozentoes1]

Indeed, I should "earn" read. Perhaps you could "earn" to write.

The artistry I speak of is as obvious as a sun rise in the Sahara Desert. Perhaps in addition to the rudiments of writing, you should learn to listen.

[Brianjonestown]

Nice try kiddo, but if you need to ridicule a typo, you've lost the argument very quickly. And if you think artistry is what this pianist is about, you're an incurious lightweight who cannot be taken seriously in any case.

[Frozentoes1]

I seem to have struck a nerve.

[Brianjonestown]

Not at all...we're just not in agreement. Nothing wrong with that.

[KeithWhalen11]

When I saw him perform in Montreal he played both prelude books by Debussy and Beethoven sonatas! They're quite standard if you ask me. A lot of the Hamelin videos circulating aren't the best quality which kind of diminish his talent. Anyways he has a ton of standard pieces in his concert repetoire, just look it up through his agency. The guy is a great pianist period, whether you like him or not.

[sirrobertmorton]

You are obviously missing the big picture. Only someone with this performer's facility can phrase Alkan correctly. Many listeners will mistakenly identify melodic projection and some rubato as "dynamic verve", when many times it amounts to meandering self-indulgence. The architecture is the main thing here, and Hamelin is able to uphold it, leave the lines intact, and phrase it beautifully.

Disclosure: Played a portion of this piece at a master class done by Hamelin.

[Brianjonestown]

Phrase Alkan "correctly"??? If you obtained this outrageous presumption from the master class, then Hamelin is far more glib than previously imagined. But by all means, let's have a world without differentiation...and while we're at it, let's pass a law making Hamelin the only pianist permitted to record Alkan.

[sirrobertmorton]

My words, not his.

Pianists are keenly aware of the underlying tension (created by performer, transferred to listener) that results from insufficient technique. Phrasing suffers. Hamelin allows us to enjoy the music, not worry about the performer.

[sirrobertmorton]

And let me clarify my first post. I meant this piece specifically. I've heard many Alkan performances I have enjoyed far more than Hamelin's, but not the concerto.

[rvegetable]

At least he plays works that havne't been recorded for the 28954th time

[VerdeBrilliante]

How could you say that to such a perfect example of human imagination? Alkan was a completely brilliant pianist and composer; just listen how he combines the entire work of a whole orchestra into a single, elegant instrument. It takes a very special talent to recognize and play this, a talent that Hamelin has in abundance. Maybe, if you actually opened your ears to listen a bit, you might gain even a shred of such talent. But I sincerely doubt that.