Charles-Valentin Alkan - Impromptu sur le Choral de Luther, Op. 69 (arr. Smalley)

Alkan - Impromptu sur le Choral de Luther ‘Un fort rempart est Notre Dieu’, Op. 69 (arr. for two pianos by Roger Smalley)
Goldstone and Clemmow, piano duo
NOTE
The sheet music in this video is from Alkan's original version for pedal-piano or piano three hands. Smalley's version for two pianos, heard in this recording, features many doubled octaves along with other minor changes, but the overall shape of the piece remains intact.
Download the program notes and purchase the album at Toccata Classics:
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[@fgbowen]

13:07 - Aah, listening again... Just absolutely one of my Most Favorite pieces. SO much grandeur here.

[@obuadhachain]

Oh Dear Lord Jesus I love this piece!!!!! Moves me to tears, and I'm overcome by it. All My Words are Inadequate. imho, this piece is ONE for the End of this age.

[@multch2006]

the fugue that starts at 7:30 is just perfect

[@shubus]

This is spectacular and the fugue is very well done and is absolute perfection.

[@fgbowen]

13:03 - listening again - I know people will disagree.... .. but.... there is a very strong possibility.... that that is the most beautiful piece ever written. I know I know...... .. but I just think it is SUCH a lucid piece harmonically, and it is timely, and it is EVERYthing that it could and should be for this time. In short, this piece is... anointed- imho. It is perfection start to finish.

[@itsshrimp91]

The rosary, La Cygne, To a Wild Rose, Clair De Lune, anything Chopin wrote...

[@Mehrshad84]

​@@itsshrimp91i think ballade 1 *might* be the best piece ever written for piano solo , and you could also add beethoven sonatas to discussion

[@itsshrimp91]

@@Mehrshad84 Actually not a bad pick at all! Not an etude, not an exercise, but a testament to skill, precision, emotion, and bravery. All that with chopin's somber feeling, though, makes it feel less of the "best" piano piece, more of one of the top 3 with 100% certainty. I'd argue the other two nominees are probably Clair De Lune, and definitely a beethoven sonata. Reason I picked Clair de lune is cause of its intricate nature, being catered to the piano and how barely any other instrument can replicate its true glory like a piano can.

[@Mehrshad84]

@@itsshrimp91 i sure can't argue with clair de lune , it has a divine and unique character of a piece , but in case of such divine and happy-sounding pieces , chopin's op 9 no 2 is up there aswell (was trying to say more then figured out most pieces i listen to are way too sad for the likes of clair de lune lol) , these are kind of pieces that the main focus is not on the notes , but up to the person's musicality(not trying to start an argument , just trading thoughts)

[@itsshrimp91]

@@Mehrshad84 His nocturnes are all delightful, and I'd argue chopin is the greatest piano composer to have ever graced the earth. I think the true beauty of piano is that there are pieces big and small, but also such a myriad of them that to pick one would be like picking between children. Apples or oranges? But I like fruit. The truth about it is that the best piano piece may have already been made, yes, it's possible, just extremely unlikely, but it's possible.

[@DanielBerke]

Absolutely remarkable, especially where he turns it into a fugue!

[@fgbowen]

Yes. LOVED the fugue.

[@oneninetyfourXOcom]

Wow,two bass clefs!

[@fgbowen]

13:02 - ... ... ... ok.. BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO!!! Now THAT piece was OUTSTANDING!!! Loved Every Second of it. Played at my funeral...? I Think So. And the answer to the question is... Yes, He is a mighty fortress. Yes. He is.

[@rexy7399]

I always amazed by the GROOVE in Alkan's work!

[@fgbowen]

Oooo, that's an Excellent descriptive!!! Fits perfectly. ( :

[@fgbowen]

2:46 - well.. I love them All, but what l like about This variation is that it will end in a seudo-different key and/or harmonization - Listen closely and you'll see. 3:39 - Love this... SO modern - reflects the senseless Babel of some people and people groups. 3:59 - Eloquently Prodding, this variation. This piece is SO brilliant. 5:41 - love love LOVE!!!!! this one. The whole variation. 7:17 - and THIS one. SO outstanding. 7:41 - then comes the most beautiful, well-placed Fugue you could Ever possibly imagine. (Has anyone else besides me noticed... I think it is stylistically accepted in Alkan's music to stop for a mili-second between measures at certain times - This is Extremely unique to Alkan, and it Does provide Context and Breath when it occurs - I love it.) 11:07 - the "My-Fair-Lady Horse Race" section - HAHAHAHAhaha-I-love-it. 13:02 - then it Ends with the TRUTH!! that a Mighty Fortress IS!!! Our God. Thank you Jesus. Thank you Holy Spirit.

[@AlbertoSegovia.]

What a beautiful piece.

[@matthewparis1907]

What a great work! I suppose i never heard it because it's for pedal piano.

[@littlesheetmusic]

The melody from the beggining is from "The Mighty Fortress Is Our God", a gospel song.

[@rosiefay7283]

Luther pre-dates gospel songs by centuries.

[@pianomaly9]

What an incredible piece, full of contrapuntal and harmonic ingenuity. Alkan's genius at its peak. I've heard Kevin Bowyer play it on the organ, but this transcription clarifies much that I miss (this may be my fault) there. IMOP this stands on the same plane as Liszt's Fantaisie and Fugue on "Ad Nos" or Reubke's "Psalm 94".

[@4candles]

Wonderful piece. Can't wait to hear the eventual recording by Joseph Nolan! Despite some Alkanistes' misgivings about its effectiveness on the organ, you simply cannot replace the power and range of timbres of the organ on a piano. Nevertheless, this transcription and recording are invaluable because you can hear every detail which you wouldn't necessarily be able to on the organ. Swings and roundabouts!

[@tackontitan]

Well, this was originally written for the pedalier so an organ might not be able to achieve the kinds of effects alkan had in mind.

[@fgbowen]

Totally get you. It has that organ grandeur and pomp and massiveness. But.. I disagree - I believe on piano it fits the Alkan style best. And you said yourself - it is much easier to hear the twists and turns. Alkan, I am certain, intends this.

[@classicfan4683]

Eine der verrücktesten Klavierkompositionen. die ich je gehört habe... Hut ab vor der Leistung des Klavier-Duos!

[@daniloberaldo570]

Incredible! Thank you very much to post it!!

[@kitbuiz]

Alkan the great and terrible

[@fgbowen]

13:07 - ...and with That. he was gone.

[@AlkanLove]

Alkan Love♥️♥️♥️

[@hakuzes2444]

11:17 remind me for liszt Reminiscences des huguenots

[@ВикторияЛеонтьева-ы2ф]

Высшее....такого больше нет

[@OrangeSodaKing]

Is the two-piano transcription available for purchase anywhere?

[@4candles]

Seems, Ethan, that you would have to contact Roger Smalley's estate for that. There's an official website for the composer, but it doesn't look like it's been updated in some time: www.rogersmalley.com

[@markvinerpiano]

Send me an email, Ethan.

[@aakarshitsingh1535]

nice :)

[@qalaphyll]

hello bhai good mronjng go study

[@Whaijorhujishkomunyk]

@Schuyler Bacn OK

[@CatkhosruShapurrjiFurabji]

7:29 fugue (reminds me of Beethoven's eroica fugue)

[@AlkanLove]

ペダルピアノが廃れたのはこの世の間違い

[@emmanuelsales149]

Très sincèrement, cette musique n'a aucune valeur esthétique. C'est un bavardage académique épuisant, une forme de logorrhée musicale dont dont l'intérêt est purement historique et documentaire. En outre, sur le plan technique, la basse avec le cantus firmus est légèrement désaccordée avec les parties du dessus. L'écoute en devient pénible.

[@daniloberaldo570]

You really don't understand anything about music apparently! Such a disgraceful comment on such a majestic song and composition! This music is of immense value to millions of Christians of different beliefs and for millions of lovers of classical music and 19th century romanticism!

[@deodatdechampignac]

serais tu un émule du collabo antisémite et antifrançais Rebatet ?

[@therealrealludwigvanbeethoven]

Shame on you.