A phenomenal Piano virtuoso and noteworthy member of 19th century Parisian society Charles Valentin-Alkan was among Liszt's contemporaries and one of Chopin's close friends. Unlike his legendary companions Alkan gradually slipped into obscurity in his own day because of his eccentric ways.Twenty years later - epitomising the near-theatrical lives of the great Romantics - the composer emerged to present his mature works to an astonished public including some of the most extraordinary most challenging compositions ever written.This collection includes three monumental works from Alkan's 'Twelve Studies In All Minor Keys'Op. 39. as well as three smaller works which complete the edition. Pianists of advanced skills - and student's of music's great revolutionary masters - will welcome this new treasury of hard to find pieces selected and with commentary by Marc-Andre Hamelin the Piano virtuoso who has performed Alkan's music worldwide and recorded the composer's major works.
