Mark Viner - Alkan: Grande Sonate, Op. 33, 3 Morceaux dans le genre Pathétique, Op. 15 (2020)

Tracklist
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01. Grande sonate, Op. 33: I. 20 ans, Très vite
02. Grande sonate, Op. 33: II. 30 ans, Quasi-Faust. Assez vite
03. Grande sonate, Op. 33: III. 40 ans, Un heureux ménage. Lentement
04. Grande sonate, Op. 33: IV. 50 ans, Prométhée enchaîné. Extrêmement lent
05. 3 Morceaux dans le genre pathétique, Op. 15: I. Aime-moi
06. 3 Morceaux dans le genre pathétique, Op. 15: II. Le vent
07. 3 Morceaux dans le genre pathétique, Op. 15: III. Morte


British pianist Mark Viner continues his Alkan project with a new recording of the towering Grande Sonate Op. 33 “Les quatre âges” (in which Alkan musically describes the several stages of Man’s Life in 4 movements, from exuberant youth to tragic old age), and the “3 Morceaux dans le genre pathétique”, three highly original tone poems, one evoking the howling winter wind, one a love poem and the third “Morte’ evoking a haunted cemetery, uncannily pre-echoing Ravel’s Le Gibet.

“For the second disc in his gargantuan 17-CD project of recording all Alkan’s music Mark Viner gives us the 25 Préludes with an exemplary musicianship and assurance...makes you eager for further issues from this outstanding and most enterprising pianist” (Bryce Morrison in International Piano). Viner’s previous recording of the Alkan Etudes Op 35 received 5 stars and CD of the Month in BBC Music Magazine as well as 5 stars in The Guardian (“Viner rises to Alkan’s extraordinary challenges”).

The booklet contains an excellent essay on Alkan and his works by the artist himself.

DOWNLOAD ALBUM [flac]