CHARLES-VALENTIN ALKAN (1813-1888): Grandes études pour les deux mains séparées et réunies, Op. 76, Sonatine, Op. 61, 2 petites pièces, Op. 60.

Description: The three Grandes études (1838, and they are grand - the first two are 13 and 23 minutes long each) are a blend of melodic aspects of Chopin Nocturnes and Lisztian instrumental textures, the 1862 Sonatine belies its non-threatening name, full of typical Alkan difficulties and the c.1862 Petite pièces (no other recording currently available) provide the contrast as they are melodic pieces written in song-form. Alessandro Deljavan (piano).