Friday, September 17, 2010

Neither fish nor fowl or...


Here is a question, what has more measures than Beethoven's Hammerklavier Sonata, borrows themes from the Hungarian War March known as the Rakoczy and at times sounds like Chopin wrote the music?

It is the etudes 8, 9 & 10 from the Opus 39 of Charles Valentin Alkan. On the Piano this Sunday three etudes that emulate a Concerto without Orchestra for solo piano. When you factor in Alkan's devilish technique and digital demands it takes a rare combination of strength, talent and bravura to be convincing for the 50 odd minutes it takes to perform this amazing work, but pianist Ronald Smith does it and you can hear him perform the "Concerto" from the Opus 39 of Alkan on the Piano this Sunday afternoon at 5 on KPAC and KTXI.

host Randy Anderson

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