The pianist Alessandro Deljavan plays the 'Grandes études pour les deux mains separees et réunies ' Op.76 of the French composer Charles-Valentin Alkan, who lived in Paris between 1813 and 1888 . He is the author of pages among the the most difficult piano literature and the interpreters able to deal with them are very few . The work proposed by Alessandro Deljavan is a colossal one in three movements , in which the melodic aspects of Chopin's Nocturnes are blended with the instrumental Lisztian textures. The first étude, Fantaisie for the left hand only, features a peaceful theme reminding of Beethoven. The writing is complex, with dense sequences of chords, large jumps and "cantabile" melodies, supported by fast but light tremolos. The first performance of this piece , of which we can be aware , was by Ferruccio Busoni in 1908. The second étude, Introduction, Variations et Finale, for the right hand only, is similar to the above for both musical and technical aspects, but it is much longer. It features rapid cadenzas and a fugato sketch, in the manner of Liszt, with some enchanting melodies counterpointed in the way of Schumann. In the last étude, Mouvement semblable et perpetuel , the two hands play together on the keyboard. The movement, in perfect toccata style, is a furious whirlwind, punctuated by moments of deep emotion.

Venice Classic Radio, in collaboration with the Centre de Musique Romantique Française , offers you the opportunity to attend two concerts for free dedicated to C.V. Alkan, in the beautiful setting of the Palace Bru Zane in Venice. Getting your ticket is simple: click here!