Alkan: 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.
Ronald Smith lived in Sussex and was educated at the Brighton College of Music and later won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music. He studied privately with Marguerite Long in Paris and completed a BMus degree at Durham University. As a concert pianist, Smith championed the piano works from the romantic period, in particular those of Charles-Valentin Alkan, who he recorded extensively. His detailed research led him to discover much new information about this reclusive composer.
Title: Alkan: The Man/The Music
Author: Ronald Smith
ISBN: 9781871082739
Binding:
Publisher: Kahn & Averill
Publication Date: 2006-01-01
Number of Pages: 432
Weight: 0.5399 kg
'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.
