Le Festin d'Esope and Other Works for Solo Piano
by Charles-Valentin Alkan

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Book Reviews of Le Festin d'Esope and Other Works for Solo Piano

Book Review: A fine reprint of the venerable Edition Billaudot
Summary: 4 Stars

The Concerto for Solo Piano is a formidable challenge for pianists who thought they have seen it all. From the repeated notes in the Candeza section to the exhilarating scales and chords throughout the piece, this sadistic oeuvre will leave all pianists but Marc-Andre Hamelin begging for mercy. Yet, the difficulty is not all for the sake of being difficult, in spite of being an etude. The unique composition written during the height of the romantic period is a pinnacle of innovative pianism, and casts a dark shadow on such well known concerti by Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Chopin and other composers of the time.

Other works included in this edition, Symphonie, and the infamous Le Festin d'Esope pose no less challenge, but are exquisitely satisfying, giving the most jaded pianists and audiences alike a new perspective on the romantic period repertoire.

Summary of Le Festin d'Esope and Other Works for Solo Piano

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