Alkan, Ronald Smith - Alkan Concerto For Solo Piano

Review by Bhavik Sarkhedi

The album "Alkan Concerto For Solo Piano" by Alkan, Ronald Smith is a masterpiece that showcases the exceptional talent of both the composer and the pianist. The album consists of three movements, each of which is a musical journey that takes the listener through a range of emotions.

The first movement, Allegro, is a fast-paced and energetic piece that showcases Alkan's virtuosity as a composer. Ronald Smith's playing is flawless, and he captures the essence of the piece with his exceptional technique.

The second movement, Adagio, is a beautiful and haunting piece that showcases Alkan's ability to create music that is both complex and emotionally charged. Ronald Smith's playing is delicate and nuanced, and he brings out the full depth of the piece with his sensitive interpretation.

The third movement, Allegro, is a thrilling and exhilarating piece that showcases Alkan's ability to create music that is both intricate and exciting. Ronald Smith's playing is powerful and dynamic, and he captures the intensity of the piece with his commanding performance.

Download Alkan, Ronald Smith - Alkan Concerto For Solo Piano

Artist: Alkan, Ronald Smith
Album: Alkan Concerto For Solo Piano

Classical

1970

Rating: 4.5

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Filename: alkan-ronald-smith-alkan-concerto-for-solo-piano.rar

MP3 size: 17.4 mb
FLAC size: 109.8 mb

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Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
2nd Movement: Adagio
3rd Movement: Allegretto All Barbaresca
1st Movement: Allegro Assai

Video

RARE - Alkan (arr. Ronald Smith) 1970 - Concerto for Solo Piano - 1st mvt

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Catalog Numbers

HQS 1204

Labels

EMI, His Master's Voice

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Formats

Vinyl
LP
Stereo

Credits

Role	Credit
Engineer	Campbell Hughes, Clive Webster
Piano	Ronald Smith

Notes

Recorded in Wigmore Hall, London
Instrument used was a Steinway Concert Grand K22
Sleeve Notes: Ronald Smith, 1970

About Alkan, Ronald Smith

30 November 1813 29 March 1888. French composer and one of the greatest virtuoso pianists of his day. Wrote almost exclusively for the keyboard.

Real Name

Charles-Henri-Valentin Morhange

Name Vars

Alkan
C. H. V. Alkan
C.-V. Alkan
C.V. Alkan
Ch. V. Alkan
Ch. V. Alkan Aîné
Ch.-V. Alkan
Charles Alkan
Charles H. V. Alkan
Charles V. Alkan
Charles Valentin Alkan
Charles-Henri Alkan

Summary by Bhavik Sarkhedi

"Alkan Concerto For Solo Piano" is a stunning album that showcases the exceptional talent of both the composer and the pianist. It is a must-listen for anyone who appreciates classical music and the art of the piano.

Comments

profesorduarte

Alongside his performance of the complete Minor Key Etudes, this ranks as one of the very best Alkan performances of Smith - I also used to have this record in my collection.

miftahbirayang

love this thanks

gokturk90

Haha yes it's a wonderful place to find some very interesting and rare recordings!

camillewhyte12313

I wish Smith's recording of shorter Alkan works on an 1850's Erard would be restored 192/384 bit resolution or something and re-released.

cwtan0620

I also have this but thanks for uploading it and saving me from finding it! I much preferred this recording to the later ones. There is something in the way the Steinway sound has been captured that so adds to the performance. A shame it was not transferred to digital.

feeldeco

How wonderful to hear this again,it was the first version i heard and gave a brilliant impression of the piece.Later on when i learnt about the cuts(John Ogdon's complete version appeared!)i still accepted Smith's pioneering work,and he is very honest in his sleeve notes.Good to read those again,thanx for including,and i'm amused to see your LP came from one of the"Record&TapeExchange"outlets.I used to haunt the branches at NottingHell & CamdenTown, real treasure troves!

anu2115

I remember the cover; I used to have this vinyl record - I always favored it his recording in the complete collection; as I remember he said that an audience might find trouble in sitting thru the complete version...

rahmahela

Really it is impossible to be bias knowing the original, but I like both. I would love to, for example, read a journal entry of Smith's that explained all of his reasoning for what he did here. Anyways, I hope you listen to it more and if you don't appreciate it for the cuts, you can appreciate it for the unrivaled brilliance of his playing that is this recording!

shahidmicrosft

How early in Smith's career was this recorded? To me, it sounds like a wandering fantasy - a 'best of' kind of compilation which ignores the architectural brilliance of what Alkan did entirely. To me, the cuts are ugly, because I know the work, but at least they provide a window on some of the aspects of the work. If someone of Smith's stature and musical prowess could miss this then we have a hell of a long way to go before Alkan is properly appreciated by the world!

ulysseslocksmith

This is 1970 - seven years before the full op 39 was released. I can understand where you are coming from, listening to this recording for the first time after knowing the full thing very well by ear. However, I do disagree with your "wandering fantasy" statement. If you listen to the cuts longer, you will see they actually make architectural sense and have direction. He didn't just take random cuts, he thought about this, and made an arrangement that is musically logical... in my opinion.

alyssacher

@JackGibbonsHQ Hey, sorry for the late response - I do not have the recording unfortunately... I can tell you what I know of the Alkan connection - perhaps I could email you?

rafaelmendona

@88alan8800 No I have never heard John-Paul Bracey's recording but how interesting that you are studying with him. Wasn't he the very first person to record the Symphonie commercially (discounting the Petri private recording)? I'd love to know how he became interested in Alkan's music. Do you have his recording? I would love to hear it. Best wishes and good luck with your own Alkan performances! Jack

ashutoshsharma60

@JackGibbonsHQ Thank you very much for your comment Mr. Gibbons! I have often wondered what Smith thought of this recording after the fact, as he did later record it in it's entirety. I was also very taken when I first heard this, in my opinion it is much bolder playing than his 1977 recording. Just out of curiosity, have you ever heard John-Paul Bracey's recording of the symphonie from '63? He has been my teacher for the past 6 years here in Canada.

elkonquistador

Thank you so much for uploading this recording! I had lost my only copy and haven't heard this since 1976! Fascinating to hear it again. Ronald Smith did tell me that he later regretted cutting the first movement and that he didn't fully appreciate Alkan's architectural genius at the time. Despite the cuts this recording made a deep impact on me when I first heard it (though obviously I strongly disapprove of the cuts today!). Alkan owes a huge debt to Ronald Smith for his tireless advocacy.

wednesdayaddamsdoll

@horseburger Check out his preludes!

bhumblebkindbbeautiful

@horseburger Understandable, though he did write many easier pieces. The large scale works and etudes are certainly challenging.

ddyjudy

@horseburger Very interesting, did you study any works of Alkan with him? Definitely a great pianist!

mentalshiftband

@88alan8800

No I didnt study anything by Alkan. I look at some of his work today and it looks pretty difficult I doubt I could have even attempted it back then.