Amateurs 2007: Ken Iisaka plays Alkan

[lovesGenet]

Mr.Lisaka thankyou for giving me an understanding of Alkan as a neo-classicist. I would say he was a neo-classicist working in the romantic 's new language. Chopin is much more of a classicist to me . alkan can be a classicist in form but a romantic there too.Look how extended are his forms.The more I thyink about it the more I disagree with you. not in method or content. His large forms ,his titles(madwoman on the beach gminor piece) hint at the themes of Bryon,Chateaubriand ,morbidity etc.

[OrangeSodaKing]

@lovesGenet Oh, I'm sorry if it sounded like I was saying he was NOT a romantic, because he most definitely was.

[lovesGenet]

Any well trained pianist can play ALKAN .He is not bothered with because his music is not that fascinating compared with others like him not well known.Busoni prolly chose him because he was jealous of Scryabin or felt it was unhealthy.I know not!compos are TOO LONG and noone wants to make deserved cuts in his music. some of the etudes are ridiculously over long.His sense of scale was immature.One wonders really what he was getting at.FRANCK had better sense .

[dasklavierleben]

@lovesGenet Well you see, Franck's music contains a lot of Franckism... and some say he was lazy which is not a commendable quality in a hard working man.

[OrangeSodaKing]

@lovesGenet Alkan was a neoclassicist, and sometimes I feel like almost to too literal of a level. He used the technical extensions of Liszt (although some he discovered himself), but seemed to have a harmonic language similar to the classical composers. It's different, that's for sure, but I enjoy some of his music with a balance of all the amazing romantic works of Brahms, Chopin, and all the eras of music in general. Having played (and performed) Alkan, I found surprisingly good reward in it.

[OrangeSodaKing]

I found the entire uncut performance of this piece!

[OrangeSodaKing]

I uploaded the audio to all 30 minutes of it!

[MajesticFerret]

Very well played, but I agree this piece could have used some editing.

[lokopiano]

Uffffff that 3erd level music.

Should be a law against performances of such a chip music.

Lokopiano.

[danceofthegoblins]

Why doesn't Alkan get played more in competitions? I know most would reply he's too difficult and that's why we don't hear much of him in general but certainly a pianist of concert caliber should be able to handle him and you'd think he'd be played as much as the bravura Liszt pieces to showcase technique? And if he were played more in recitals he wouldn't be so obscure. Why is he so relatively neglected? Just wondering.

Awesome performance BTW!

[OrangeSodaKing]

Alkan's music is not too difficult to play. And I'm doing lots of research and writing a research paper on Alkan soon. And Alkan is making a steady uprising.

[nearenough3]

I actually enjoyed many parts of this etude. It need(ed) editing. It is too long, somewhat bombastic and lacked focus. Some melodies are somewhat modal -- foursquare, but others are lurical and beautiful. Chopin (aside from juvenilia) only produced masterpieces. Only the best stuff was released. Alkan simply lacked discrimination.

[kiisaka]

The entire performance is now available as a bonus feature on the DVD of the documentary film, They Came to Play. You can order it from the film web site.

Other than the fact that I appear on the film, I have no direct vested interested in the sale of the DVD.

[adamtrials]

Very commendable performance, up there with Hamelin, Ogdon and Latimer.

I felt perhaps a stricter tempo would have been more suitable but it's a very interesting interpretation.

[cdpiano27]

I think he should have gotten higher placement (and at least third place, I think). Unfortunately, if he played, for example a very technically difficult piece that was better known, like the Liszt Reminscences de Don Juan at the same level as this, he may have even won the entire Van Cliburn amateur competition.

[nearenough3]

Normally I dislike Alkan (he seems contrived, bombastic and eager to catch up with his rival masters, Chopin and Schumann) but this performance makes the banal notes into real music. Well done.

[filsuf]

Check your history again!!

Liszt, the most bombastic acrobatic-clown on the piano among all, was only trembling and shivering if he had to play with Alkan around!! Chopin was a good friend and neighbor of Alkan! But this J Alkan was such an antic like any other Js ... so, he once didnt open up the door when Chopin knocked. The Pole then got pissed! And the J was so sorry. But, anyway, they have a deep mutual respect for each other.

And it seems both loved to spit at Liszt the pompous clown.

[nearenough3]

Dont over-react; Alkan wrote some nice stuff here and there, but his material is foursquare and klutzy for the most part. Le Festin E'sope just irritates me; its tune is banal and harsh and clangy. Chopin consistently wrote exquisite finished pieces that have 100% original and unexpected elements (other than juvenilia). Look at his preludes . Liszt remains superior to Alkan today in every way; his lasting popularity with professionals attests. Sorry Alkan, you are not third rate, just second.

[kiisaka]

Surely, most of his earlier compositions are clumsy, awkward, and not terribly interesting. However, his more mature compositions starting with Grande Sonate, Op.33, in my humble opinion, had much influence on his contemporaries, particularly Liszt. You will find quotes from Alkan in many compositions by the latter.

[kiisaka]

I agree however that the language and the vocabulary of Alkan is often foreign to many who grew up with the rich lyrical lines more typical in the period, he levitated the art of piano music tremendously. Many of the Alkan's special characteristics, namely rich counterpoints, and use of variations represent very fine craftsmanship rarely shared by most composers.

[kiisaka]

I have to confess that Le Festin d'Esope is one of my most favourite composition by Alkan, and its naughty and often-sinister language is exceedingly amusing. Sure, his compositions may be an acquired taste, but so are some of the most profound wines.

[ReturnOfTheStienway]

What is it about Alkan's music that makes it so... predictive? I think his music is fairly original.

[nearenough3]

I've stated the reasons here. I wrote you a longer e-mail but don't know how to send it.

[anonymousQ45]

alkan is not favored by more professionals because not many can play his compositions

[nearenough3]

Ken is an amateur and plays Alkan. LOL!

[OrangeSodaKing]

I don't believe that that is true. Alkan is not favored by professionals, but not because his music is unplayable. They prefer more standard repertoire (for the most part).

However, I hope to play some of Alkan's music whenever I grow up.

[ink245711]

Alkana hyer, harur tokos, anuna hyerits Alkanian derivativer, menak anuna pokhets

[evansvitz]

I don't know what this guy does for a living, but good job!

[fw684]

Amazing performance of this huge and difficult work, technically almost perfect and very musical too.

This is one of my favorite piano pieces, although I cannot play it even nearly as well as Mr. Iisaka.

Congratulations!

[chu71]

i love alkan. i refuse to accept the thought that he s just a pianist s composer.

great performance, congratulations!

[mvs1312]

Damn! why is he not as known!!!

[hayforker]

Here's a little-known fact: there are many great pianists around who are just as good as the 'famous' and 'successful' pianists. There's only room for a very few at the top of the profession. And some don't want a performance career, which is very demanding and a grueling life.

Those of us lucky enough to hear Ken perform realize he is one of the greats. He will perform publicly at the Concerts Grand series in Santa Rosa, CA in January 2009.

[okera123]

Excellent point! Would be good for all to grasp. In our society there is only so much room for fame/notoriety. Because of the complexity of the capatalistic society we live in, and its inherent limitations, the masses may never actually encounter the greatest within any field...not just music. Just think how skewed our thinking of basketball would be if a certain entrepeneur didn't have the funds to round up some street players from chicago, call them 'Harlem Globe Trotters' and get them playin?

[dmcII]

Wow ! Bravo !

[thunder1909]

This is not an etude, but a piano concerto for solo piano. I don't know, maybe it is also called an etude.

[kiisaka]

It is the 8th etude in the collection of "12 etudes in minor keys" Op.39. It is indeed also the first movement of the Concerto for Solo Piano.

[Tromminator]

I'd never heard of Alkan before this but, man, I'm so glad that I clicked the video.

Outstanding virtuosity, Mr. Iisaka.

Mike. {:~)

[kasyapa]

look up mark andre hamelin playing alkan, and you will enter a new world. :)

[jiolsmolimassunemo]

Hamelin's performance was uninspired and dull.

[wizardfingers]

is this an etude?? i thought this was the concerto lol. good playing though!

[kiisaka]

Yes, it is but one of the 12 Etudes in Minor Keys, Op.39. The Nos. 8-10 constitute the "Concerto for Solo Piano" of which this is the first movement.

So, with a grin, I brag that I played a concerto at the finals of the competition, which isn't completely untrue :)

Thanks!

[Hammerklaiver]

I am sternly impressed! This performance breathes in passion, and exhales electricity. I am sure we will see more of Ken in the future.

[cdpiano27]

Honestly, I think that the jury did not appreciate/understand the piece that much. It is rare to hear this any competition, especially an amateur one.

[cdpiano27]

Well, if I was the jury. I would have tied Drew Mays and Ken Iisaka for first prize. It is just hard to compare Alkan with other music. But nice job!! Then Slava Levin would get third. If I was the jury, that is.

[VanCliburnFoundation]

Hi Juiiobrandao!

It is called the International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs.

You can find more info at our website, Cliburn"dot"org

[VanCliburnFoundation]

Anyone can audition! Look for an application available online closer to the competition date. The next one is in four years -- 2011.

You'll send in your application with a statement about why you want to be in it, a list of repertoire, and a CD of your playing.

Good luck!

[JUlIOBRANDAO]

Hi there can you please tell me the name of thise piano competition.? Thanks a lot

[NeoComposer]

What does it take to enter such a prestigious competition?

[davealkan]

Wow. I prefer this to most commercial recordings I have heard. Very uncluttered playing, but played with feeling. I think this clip captures what Alkan really intended- something that's not always too obvious. I must go to the Cliburn site and hear the full performance.

Do you play the second and third movements too?

[cziffra1980]

I'm very impressed by how musical the playing is here. Too many people give Alkan a bad name with lifeless note-spinning. This is very good indeed.

[davealkan]

Why is it that the name 'Hamelin' comes to mind in response to your comment ;)

[VanCliburnFoundation]

hi there. ken's entire uncut performance is posted on our Cliburn website. Go to Amateur section, then Watch Videos. All the Final Round videos are there, in entirety (YouTube has a ten minute time limit...)

Cheers,

Van Cliburn Foundation

[ivrykeys]

I really wish they would post the rest of this!!! It is interesting to hear different interpretations of this piece since it is so rarely recorded.

[dcl23]

Kiisaka, what is the name of this Alkan piece?

[kiisaka]

It's the Etude in g# minor, Op.39 No.8, also known as the first movement of the "Concerto for Solo Piano"

Thanks.

[anieb]

There are several aspects of this piece that I enjoy a lot, from this recording, though I wasn't at all sure I might. Hope they do post the rest! The overresonance on all the audio tapes from the hall may indicate that is what the audience may have experienced too (a need for more relief from extended overlapping sound in fast passages) but even your mostly unpedaled Soler had the wraparound sound in that kind of audio atmosphere).

[kiisaka]

Hi, Andrys,

Long time no see!

There is a possibility that I will perform this at a recital in the near future. I will keep you posted.

Thanks!

[ivrykeys]

Where at?

I would be interested in going!

[anieb]

Overall, more jazzy and romantic than I expected. I suspect the jury was in traditional mode, judging more highly only what they knew well (as a composition) and had a handle on. Or liked. That we could hear this in an amateur competition instead of just the usual repertoire should have been seen as a plus and, in my own view, given some kind of recognition for it. I liked being able to hear this.

[aesthetic1950]

Yes, wonderful to hear Alkan. I have an ancient vinyl recording that I'll have dig out and listen to his work some more.

[anieb]

I liked especially the more rhapsodic portions starting at 03:33 and 05:45 into the track. Didn't expect this from the blog comments. The last part of this track, however, has Alkan going on at full sound and I would like to hear how that was handled. I suspect they will post a part 2 later. I hope so.

[alkanista]

Darn, cut off in an especially exciting section. Anyway, good job on some ridiculously difficult music! After reading the uncomprehending blogger on the Cliburn site, I wondered if there was a problem with the playing that might have affected his perception of the music. Now that I've seen this clip, I figure it was the blogger who just didn't get it. (The Cliburn really should stop that competition blogging nonsense and just run an open forum, a lightly moderated one, instead.)

[kcostell]

I guess the rest got cut off due to size/time constraints...I'd love to see parts 2 and 3 of this performance if they ever get posted.

[mikeq1139]

Very impressive - learning such a complex piece as an amateur shows real commitment. My teachers always steered me away from Alkan suggesting that he wasn't worth the effort; I think you proved them wrong.

[kiisaka]

I don't know if it shows "real commitment" but likely a display of utter insanity. However, as an amateur, the return on investment equation is thrown out of the window. Is it worth the effort? It depends on what the goal is.

[kiisaka]

Where is the rest? :)