Concerto for Solo PIano Op.39 No.10 Alkan Audio + Sheet Music

pf: Marc-Andre Hamelin

I don't know if I'm going to upload the rest of the concerto; I don't seem to have the time, but if people DO want me to upload the rest then by chance I might.

High Quality: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HOQpwzU-IU&feature=channel&fmt=18

Recording Date: Feb 10, 2006

Recording Location: Potton Hall, Suffolk

Category:

Music

Tags:

• hamelin
• alkan
• etude
• concerto
• solo
• piano
• audio
• sheet
• music
• op
• 39

[aslkfja]

Hamelin is an excellent pianist, but the problem I have with his performances, I have listened to, that I always get the impression " this piece is actually too easy for me", and I am not interested in how well one can play the piano or whatever instrument. I want to be bewildered by the music not the performance! I find Ronald Smith's performances compared to Hamelin's more subdued and more expressive.

[tomekkobialka]

@aslkfja This is exactly how I feel about Hamelin - makes it look so easy that it's almost like it's not worth listening to.

[madlovba3]

@tomekkobialka I disagree, wholeheartedly. "Some people", Hamelin said, "feel a sense of visceral struggle missing in my playing, that a given work may not sound difficult enough. To me, it's an element that does not enter into the equation. The important factor is the presentation of music with as few blocks as possible. Nothing should impair the original. I don't feel that people should be listening to me - they should be listening to the music itself. I am only the channel."

[tomekkobialka]

@madlovba3 To be absolutely honest, I have no idea what was going on in my mind when I wrote that comment. xD That's easily one of the stupidest comments I posted. Of course the music is worth listening to, Hamelin just plays it in such a way to make us enjoy the music in as easy a way as possible.

[somnynightin78]

Chopin's musicality and lyricism mixed with Lisztian virtuosity.

[JesuisChristie]

@madlovba3 Yeah, Lang Lang's theatricality holds the mentality that he should be more watched than listened to. It's entertaining, but it really detracts from his playing. I think Hamelin is definitely right about this. Or maybe Lang Lang is just a sensitive boy, easily moved like that, haha.

[madlovba3]

@JesuisChristie He doesn't want to interpret music, he's a showman. I'm not against acting in music, actually, but it has to be in connection with the musical meaning and expression, as it is in case of wonderful musicians like Kissin and Leonard Bernstein, above all. I’m not a fan of Stanislawski, who says “not the performer should cry but the audience.” If the performer is not moved in his heart enough then the audience won’t be moved either. But music is not for watching in general, methinks!

[JesuisChristie]

@madlovba3 I wonder how Lang Lang would feel reading this...

[AcePro]

Alkan is every pianists dream musician. He combines the exciting virtuosity of Liszt, the accessible harmonies of Beethoven, and the delicate style of Chopin to create a very unique highly personal style of his own. He is truly a delight to listen to!

[Frozentoes1]

@aslkfja I would respectfully disagree. What exactly do you mean by "more expressive"? In any event, I would argue that in order to properly "express" the intent of Alkan, one needs a technique like Hamelin's. Somehow, critics (or the general listener) will equate a slower tempo with being "more expressive". I am forever perplexed by this persistant belief that bravura playing is somehow not "expressive". This isn't a Nocturne, for gosh sakes.

[Rachmaninoffkid]

tommekobialka, I didn’t write this on your channel because here is better for me. I listen to all your music constantly, btw.

Hamelin does his best to play the music. He is a machine. But the best kind, the kind we enjoy. I love his music, as I could believe liszt or alkan himself could be playing this and we wouldn’t know. He shows us the meaning of the music and has unreachable mastery.

[madlovba3]

@tomekkobialka Hahaha okay, I'm glad you "changed" your mind! xD

[brooksiefan]

I am truly indebted to tomekkobialka for having posted this unique jewel. Piano at its very best. And in spite of all the praise Hamelin receives from the ones who really know pianistics, I think he still deserves a more universal applause. Who else could bring such pieces to life in our days?