Alkan: 12 Etudes, Op. 35

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Perhaps the most enigmatic figure in the history of music as a whole, let alone the nineteenth century, Charles-Valentin Alkan remains one of the most intriguing and alluring names among the pantheon of pianist-composers. As a pianist, he must have been in possession of an almost frightening command of the instrument and it was reputed that he was the only pianist before whom Liszt fell ill-at-ease to perform. The latter reportedly remarked to the Danish pianist Fritz harvigson that Alkan possessed the finest technique he had ever seen yet preferred the life of a recluse. His compositional output is extensive and comprises some of the most extraordinary music conceived for the piano. His mighty Twelve Etudes is the fullest embodiment of his creative powers. Mark Viner is recognized as one of the most exciting British concert pianists of his generation and is becoming increasingly well-known for his bold championing of unfamiliar pianistic terrain. Born in 1989, he began playing at the age of 11 and two years later was awarded a scholarship to enter the Purcell School of Music. He has toured extensively across Europe and the USA, and aside from his busy schedule teaching and performing is a published writer and advocate for the music of Charles-Valentin Alkan.