CHARLES VALENTIN ALKAN (1813-1888): Grande Sonate "Les quatre âges", Op. 33, Symphony for Solo Piano (Op. 39, Nos. 4-7), from 3 grandes études pour les mains separées et réunies, Op. 76: No. 3 Mouvement semblable et perpétuel.

Description: One might consider the two main works here to be standard repertoire as far as Alkan is concerned but they are such giants of the unusual Romantic piano repertoire that, even when Marc-André Hamelin is practically the only competition in one of them, we feel compelled to offer a new, young pianist's recording of them, especially since he seems to like Alkan (a radio recording of Alkan's transcription of the first movement of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 was broadcast in Milan) and he should be encouraged to record more! Vincenzo Maltempo (piano).