Charles Valentin Alkan - Le Festin D'esope Op. 39 No. 12 - Piano

Charles Valentin Alkan?s cycle of variations Le Festin d?Ésope derives from his monumental series of etudes op. 39, the 12 Études dans tous les Tons Mineurs, and forms the culmination of that work. Now G. Henle Publishers presents, for the first time in an Urtext edition, what is by far the most well-known piano composition by this French pianist and composer notorious for the extreme virtuosity of his works. Because no autograph manuscripts survive, the first edition from 1857 is the sole source. The premier Alkan scholar Wolfgang Rathert gives details about the life and ?uvre of the composer in his preface, while fingerings are provided by the Italian keyboard virtuoso Vincenzo Maltempo, who has recorded numerous works by Alkan. By popular demand, this composer may also now finally assume his place in the Henle Urtext catalogue!

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.