Solo Pno Music;

Charles-Valentin Alkan was a true celebrity in 19th-century Paris. A child prodigy who entered the Paris Conservatoire before the age of five, he later won the establishments annual prize for solfège at just seven years old and went on to win many more competitions. A friend and contemporary of Franz Liszt and Frédéric Chopin, Alkan inherited many of Chopins pupils after the death of the great composer in 1849. Alkan continued to show admiration for his friend by quoting Chopins melodies in his own works. Alkans oeuvre is almost entirely written for piano, and this disc brings together several of these works. The first two pieces, Capriccio alla soldatesca and Le tambour bat aux champs, esquisse are depictions of military life and warfare, and are awash with sound effects such as drumrolls, horns and march rhythms. The Trois menuets encapsulates three varying styles of minuet, for each of which the performer must employ a different keyboard technique. Both Une fusée, introduction et impromptu and the Nocturnes employ many telling hints of Chopins style, and the Sonatine in A minor, with which the disc ends, owes much to the Beethovenian model but with Alkans own distinct flair. Pianist Costantino Mastroprimiano initially studied at the Conservatorio di Musica di Foggia and the Accademia Chigiana of Siena, and has since performed throughout Europe in ensembles and as a soloist. Curator of the scientific committee for Muzio Clementis Opera Omnia and a professor of keyboard and chamber music at the Francesco Morlacchi Conservatory of Perugia, Mastroprimiano has previously recorded many CDs; among them Clementis complete sonatas for Brilliant Classics. Other information Recorded on a historic grand piano. Contains notes on the works and performer biography. Contains instrument specifications.