Alkan Genius-Enigma (Full Album) played by Vincenzo Maltempo

[@zanoryxx4353]

the opus 39 no 11 is so beautiful

[@BryanHo]

I've been a big fan of this pianist ever since I came across his video of a performance of the entire 12 etudes, Op. 39 in one concert which I imagine is the piano equivalent of running a marathon then swimming the English channel and back again. Also having the last name Maltempo is just too perfect for a such a champion of Alkan's music.

[@theegoldstate351]

you'll hear his best works on our page

[@aakarshitsingh1535]

Yh same

[@orokamono8061]

😅😢

[@orokamono8061]

🎉😅😂🎉😮🎉😅😅😅😅😂❤😂😂🎉🎉😅😮🎉😂🎉😅😮😊

[@orokamono8061]

😮😂🎉😅🎉😅に😅😢🎉🎉🎉🎉か

[@rexy7399]

He's definaly a king of introvert who can summon a full orchestra and create a whole new universe with a piano only. People always argue about the music difficuity of Liszt and Alkan. Well, one of the most technical challege work of Liszt is his great transcpritions of Beethoven's 9 Symphonies. And Alkan usually composes his work at same level of the symphonic harmony and complex texture like them but with his original ideas.

[@canman5060]

His piano music makes Liszt a beginner !

[@ZenandtheArtofPiano]

The Alkan/Maltempo experience is a humbling one.

[@loganm2924]

Wow! Didn’t expect to find you here!!

[@timespaice]

2:22:20 this performing of that piece was the best I ever listened. Extremely diffucult execution so well played. Maltempo is truely a powerful pianist probably the best of his area.

[@willgraham8878]

Alkan's music is definitely unique. Overall he didn't have the lyrical gifts as Chopin did. His music is generally very chaotic, restless, maelsrom of shadows, agitated, dark moods, disquieting, unfulfilling. I have to wonder if this was a reflection of his own strange, dark life? This pianist Maletempo however plays his music most excellently!!!

[@lindawetherby837]

I dont hear all that darkness so much as I hear drama, flair and flamboyance. This music is full of humor and zest, and I find it exhilarating and yes, a fulfilling music experience

[@CreamyElmo]

Probably because his most magnificent works were in minor keys. Although he isn’t on par with perhaps the greatest piano lyricist of all time(Chopin), doesn’t mean he lacks the ability to incorporate lyrical sounds in his music. If you are incredulous then check out his op 27b, 31no8, 34, 54, and 76no3.

[@S.Lander]

Most pianists who try to play Alkan wind up the same way as most of Turandot's suitors. But hats off, gentlemen: a new Calaf!

[@teodorb.p.composer]

This is absolutelly stunning! Alkan's music is the peak of the art, Alkan was one of the most original, the most unconventional and the best composers ever. And Mr. Maltempo fully understand his music and his way of feeling and interpretation is perfect!

[@marcalexandrefontenay9801]

Incroyable compositeur pianiste virtuose tant méconnu injustement Alkan, contemporain de Chopin et Liszt, a sans aucun doute souffert de leurs succès. Ses Études et sa grande sonate des 4 âges de la vie sont de grands moments pianistiques superbement restitués par le si mal nommé Vincenzo Maltempo que je surnomme Buentempo!

[@ehfik]

classical music. so you listen to the same few composers, again and again. then you discover alkan, scriabin, medtner, or modern composers, like messiaen... music is all about progression, newness, reinterpretation, advancement, moving forward!

[@luizmiranda1950]

I need to hear the first song at the speed of 0.25 over the next year, just to understand it's melodic line. If I survive, the next year I will listen to 0.50 and in the third year I will hear at 0.75. At the end of those three years I will be able to listen at 1.00 speed, that I hear now while writing. In fact, I didn't know that I wrote so slowly. Damn!

[@Rocket_scientist_88]

Luiz - after you make it to 1.00, then try 1.25 and see what happens... ;)

[@robertjohnston5011]

This is terrific music. When I heard virtuoso music, I always ask if the content is there to drive the music or whether I'm just hearing "manic fingers" or "fast thick theory" kinds of playing, but I don't hear the boring old sonata form obsessions with Alkan. I hear the racing fingers, but there's a profuse creative and musical heart driving it, not theory or structure, for the most part. It's cause for celebration when the authentic musical content is the vast majority of what you hear and the applied musical theory (such things as thematic development, sonata form, preconceived chord structure, excess repetition, predictable variation, etc.) is not noticed. Structure should come later, it's the music, the authentic musical ideas and impulses at liberty, energized and given great life, that should be the animal in action. At least Alkan is going for it, I'd love to see what Alkan and Beethoven (a great musical architect AND content provider), could come up with, because Alkan seems to have a high-momentum musical mind with the fingers and discipline to follow through with his ideas. Everything with Alkan remains CLEARLY DEFINED, he isn't drifting, where the melody backs off, the rhythm is clear, or the transition is powerful, the time spent always seems clearly THERE FOR A REASON, a feeling, it's organic in creation and has integrity. There is sometimes a clear lack of thematic development in the old classical style, yet solid structure regardless. What can I say, it's REFRESHING, like a waterfall of ideas racing into the air.

[@alkankondo89]

Thank you, sir! You have put into words something I have felt for a long time about Alkan’s music but had trouble describing: his economy of material. It is all so memorable! Even when I first heard the 30-minute-long 1st movement of his Concerto for Solo Piano, it did not take me long to be able to hum the entire movement to myself from memory. Alkan really guides the listener and, as you say, where melody backs off, rhythm is there to maintain interest. I always know what is going on in his music. Like you said, everything is clearly defined. I sometimes find myself getting lost in Chopin’s and ESPECIALLY Liszt’s pieces during those “rhapsodic” or “poetic” passages, when the composer just abandons rhythm and clear melody, in favor of … “profoundness” or whatever. (Call me unsophisticated, but I need some kind of rhythmic underpinning in music to stay interested.) I find myself thinking “What’s the point of this passage?” or “What the heck is happening?!” or “This piece was so interesting until this point!” With Alkan’s music, this rarely, if ever, happens. That is what makes him stand out as a great composer, in my opinion!

[@u.v.s.5583]

Yes, it is extremely hard to perform so that it doesn't sound like insanely fast meaningless mess. Phrasing Alkan is difficult as hell.

[@lindawetherby837]

Bravo, thank you!

[@sabsad9197]

Incompréhensible le peu d'intérêt dont souffre cet extraordinaire compositeur.

[@racorecorico]

Não há dúvidas de que se trata de um extraordinário compositor. Ele produziu muitas obras de elevado grau de complexidade técnica e esforço concentrado enorme. Mas como se pode explicar que um gênio como Alkan não esteja tendo a projeção que outros compositores de seu tempo tiveram e ainda têm? Na minha opinião é porque a obra de pelo menos dois compositores pianísticos contemporâneos dele são muito mais encantadoras: Liszt e, mais ainda, Chopin. Mais tarde apareceram Debussy e Ravel. Alkan tem obras memoráveis como Les souspirs e Promenade Sur L'eau e outras, mas de uma forma geral suas músicas lembram "marteladas enérgicas" no teclado, sem leveza, sem embalo. Não é fácil gostar de Alkan, mas não pretendo diminuir seu mérito.

[@kniazigor2276]

Pauvre Alkan, si oublié de nos jours alors qu'il a composé des œuvres qui sont vraiment extraordinaires (Festin d'Esope, Toccatina, etc.) Manque de courage de la plupart des grands pianistes qui font carrière actuellement ? il faut ressusciter Alkan !

[@LudwigDeLarge]

Ressusciter Alkan, oui, on essaie !… En tout cas quelques revues musicales aujourd'hui sont en train de "déterrer" sa vie et son œuvre, dont cette revue qui présente un article très complet et très bien documenté de 17 pages sur Alkan : editions-nm.com/achat_revue.php?idrevue=5 extrait ici : editions-nm.com/extraits/lnm5_extraits.pdf

[@mariolongo5729]

L'unico pianista che con la propria presenza riusciva a rendere nervoso il sommo Liszt.

[@sage4nowty129]

An excellent pianist!! Bravissimo!! And fantastic piano pieces!!

[@marcalexandrefontenay9801]

Virtuose pianiste incroyable et si méconnu,Alkan a sans doute souffert de la concurrence de ses illustres collègues :Chopin et Liszt ! Ses Études et sa sonate des 4 âges de la vie mériteraient des récitals si les interprètes actuels et organisateurs de concerts daignaient se pencher surson œuvre! Maltempo que je surnommerai Buentempo!

[@Staples121212]

Never knew who composed what I just learned is called 20 Ans Tres Vite. It always blew my mind and I can't stop listening!

[@PéterLegéndy]

the more i listen the more brilliant it is!

[@alessandropelizzoli6613]

Una esecuzione bellissima, specie di "En rythme molossique", reso con grande intelligenza e gusto. Complimenti!

[@marcelproust3124]

I can't figure out if I enjoy Alkan's music or not.

[@victorlloyd5271]

Alkan's music sounds better than madeleines taste!!! And with the wonders of KZbin you can listen to Alkan all day long from the comfort of your drawing room!

[@theegoldstate351]

his music need editing. just uploaded his best works

[@stephanjwilliams]

I definitely enjoy it. I can't figure out whether most of it is good or not.

[@rodolfo2529]

I N S A N E !

[@canman5060]

And so say Franz Liszt !

[@nimrodshefer3649]

@@canman5060 not any more

[@theegoldstate351]

just uploaded his best work and best performances of his work, yes he's as talented as Chopin and listz

[@thomasc390]

🌹 Thank you! 🌹

[@luis_lng]

Best performance of op.33 20 ans!

[@canman5060]

You need 5000 fingers to play Alkan and only ten is needed for Franz Liszt !

[@Svit.S]

sure hun

[@u.v.s.5583]

I believe Hamelin has only 14 or so fingers on each hand.

[@southwestpiano]

"What makes you think we play the piano with our fingers?" LEOPOLD GODOWSKY

[@sorabjiorchestralmusic]

That's an exaggeration. For Liszt 10, for Alkan maybe 15 but for Sorabji 5000.

[@ryanting1707]

@@sorabjiorchestralmusic for Barrett, and aleph

[@carlosdanielscala8605]

Molto bene grazie Evitaeterna.-

[@vincentedelmonte4980]

When Liszt wanted to compete Chopin Alkan intervene and warned leave the man alone and come on take on me

[@MenelionFR]

A Like button is too little, I need a Love and an Adore buttons :) When I heard Alkan performed by Vincenzo Maltempo (oh yeah, what a last name for a virtuoso!) for the first time, I was really impressed. I've been asking myself why Rachmaninov had never played Alkan (or we lack recordings thereof), though. I really imagine him playing the first étude.

[@davidemarchi6366]

Maltempo in italian means bad weather not bad time...

[@MenelionFR]

@@davidemarchi6366 I know that, but as we have indications like "L'istesso tempo", the pun is still there, I think.

[@chp763]

Rachmaninoff loved Alkan's music! But i haven't find a recording of him playing yet.

[@joseluislopez5191]

No conocía al autor. Avasallador el intérprete . Gracias por compartir obras de tanta calidad ! Gran relax !

[@geert574]

I read he was fond of old rich russian lady benefactors, that's why he had to train those fingers 😆

[@TexasGuitarist]

True virtuoso... Wow.

[@alfredoarruda2988]

Thanks fron Brasil

[@MenelionFR]

01:43:06 to 01:43:52 Astonishing. I lack for words.

[@fivenightsatlospollosherma5893]

2:43 8:51 18:16 37:23 1:19:49

[@rawdoggers4892]

20:31

[@camaycama7479]

You can also take a look at "Marc-André Hamelin" or "Yui Morishita" for extremely well performed Alkan's concerto!! Highly recommending both! (especially for the first time frame you've posted, Marc-Andre Hamelin's version is above sky imho)

[@octavdanacica]

Incredible......

[@guilhermeassef8028]

The "Morte" looks like LIszt's totentanz

[@kasuri8164]

both make heavy use of the wonderful dies irae, a melody taken from an old Gregorian chant that is commonly used by composers as a representation of death and mortality

[@guilhermeassef8028]

@@kasuri8164 oh thank you

[@michaelherring1944]

Alkan wrote the "Trois morceaux dans le genre pathétique, Op. 15" for Liszt and for some reason purposely omitted any indications of tempo, expression, etc. They were friends and fellow performers at the time (as was Chopin who was a close friend of Alkan's) but he hated Liszt's bombastic style and may have been curious what Liszt would do with the three pieces. Liszt is said to have been intimidated by Alkan's technique so maybe these were written as a challenge to Liszt? No one will ever know.

[@aster1433]

17:52

[@낭만띵뚱]

신세계를 경험하다

[@rawdoggers4892]

20:31

[@jannis11]

naice

[@csm0-]

2:44:30

[@レーガンオクサーナ]

В отсутствие Рихтера -первый !

[@forlotta2066]

guys what if chopin.... BUT FASTER

[@chezbe]

Chopin nothing compared with Alkan, Chopin most overrated composer ever

[@0_0-d7e]

@@chezbe Chopin was a lot more famous then Alkan for a reason, Its not "luck". His music is more appealing to a larger audiance then alkan

[@f.p.2010]

@@0_0-d7e doesn't mean he's not overrated

[@yunk9381]

02:23:45

[@TheBartomon]

So, ... he's a Vulcan?

[@jiyujizai]

🙄💙🌾🌱

[@jiyujizai]

🌱🥀🙄💚

[@gsoulas]

Un virtuose, certes, mais un mélomane, non.

[@romainmialon9251]

C'est une blague?

[@danielbrown2532]

I'm way better

[@VirtuosicFantasies]

Where I can see your super virtuous performance?

[@divingdave2945]

@@VirtuosicFantasies There: www.dictionary.com/browse/irony

[@christianbernardsinger]

Alkan is a discovery for me - how wonderful! I found a terrific and detailed Wikipedia entry about him here for anyone interested: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles-Valentin_Alkan