Valentin Alkan (1813-1888)

 

Esquisses, Op 63

 

Steven Osborne – piano

 

1)-(49) QUARANTE-HUIT MOTIFS (ESQUISSES) (1861) OPUS 63   

 

The renaissance of interest in the reclusive and eccentric 19th-century French composer Alkan has been one of the more interesting developments of the last part of the 20th century but it has usually been his massive and virtuoso works (the symphony and concerto for solo piano for example) which have made the biggest impression.  Throughout his life though Alkan was also a miniaturist, as 25 Preludes and six books of Chantsshow, and this interest culminated in undoubtedly the greatest of these cycles, the Esquisses (sketches) here recorded.  This set of 48

pieces plus a final Laus Deoruns through all 24 keys twice with the Laus Deoreturning the double cycle to C major.  A huge range of mood and colour is represented from simple folk song to etude, not forgetting the bizarre, as can be seen in the tone clusters of Les Diablotinsor the

schizophrenic Heraclite et Democrite.  This cycle has only been recorded complete once before in a very inadequate performance which

did no justice to Alkan's genius.  With Steven Osborne applying his colour, virtuosity and interpretive insight we are confident we have produced a recording that will permanently raise the stature of these pieces in the musical world and add a significant milestone in the Alkan discography.

 

Hyperion CDA67377