Word: alkan
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...fabulous virtuoso, Lewenthal (who died in 1988) had a boldness, imagination and rich, multihued sound that were perfect for the 19th century composer-pianists whose work he resurrected in the 1960s. His trailblazing recordings of music by Charles-Valentin Alkan, called "the Berlioz of the piano," are electrifying. Alkan's ferociously difficult, densely textured music has been taken up by other pianists, but Lewenthal--especially in this vibrant remastering--remains his most thrilling advocate...
...rare American appearance, concert pianist Marc Andre Hamelin will play works by Bach, Brahms, Alkan, Medtner and Liszt. Proceeds will benefit WHRB. Sanders Theatre. 8 p.m. Tickets $35 and $20 regular, $15 and $10 for students, reserved seating...
...whose keyboard pyrotechnics lit up concert halls during the first 40 years of this century. He is fascinated by the piano's expressive range, its ability to produce almost orchestral varieties of sounds and colors, seemingly bound only by the performer's own limitations. These varied works--by Rachmaninoff, Alkan, Busoni, Godowsky and others--are wickedly difficult, yet Hamelin plays them, often at dazzling speeds, with color, power, a long line and unfailing elan. He also performs three of his own witty, equally difficult etudes inspired by Chopin and Rossini...
...wouldn't say that, actually. For the past three years I've been giving less [virtuosic] stuff; in many ways, this program is an anomaly. My second disc was four Beethoven sonatas. I don't play any meaninglessly difficult things. No, no Godowsky. Alkan has an interesting tonal language...I try to do sets that illustrate relationships that interest me. I was doing a set [in concert] that would alternate Beethoven sonatas with Rachmaninoff preludes and Bach preludes and fugues, and there was a Chopin nocturne in there...
...chorus in the finale. Following this bent, Ogdon has become one of the exponents of the current romantic revival. That revival has helped bring forth a small anthology of minor works by major composers (Liszt, Scriabin), as well as some ingratiating works by minor composers (Charles-Henry Valentin Alkan, Max Reger). Ogdon, currently engaged in a six-week tour of the U.S. and Canada, is pleasantly matter-of-fact about this special musical taste: "I've always been interested in out-of-the-way composers, although it's a mystery to me why they...