Op.47 Sonate de Concert - Finale alla Saltarella // ALKAN

‘This new version must surely drag it centre-stage. It is a masterpiece: meaty, melodic, and, as with most of Alkan&music, extremely demanding to play … both performances from this outstanding partnership are out of the top drawer, fresh, spontaneous and beautifully recorded’ (Gramophone) ‘The Alkan emerges as a surprisingly strong work, made more so by the sterling advocacy of these fine players. Its four movements betray its composer&love of harmonic quirks and unexpected changes of direction alongside a freely lyrical spirit. Gerhardt draws a suitably Romantic sound from his rich-toned Matteus Gofriller cello, and he conveys a lithe ease of articulation and rhythm in the jaunty saltarella that concludes the work. In the more familiar Chopin, there is a palpable sense of a single, combined mind at work. Osborne&Chopin playing proves to be every bit as focused as his Messiaen or Tippett, and he and Gerhardt respond superlatively to the music&sensitivity and power’ (The Daily Telegraph) ‘One of the most gifted cellists on the international scene … Gerhardt is superb here, and he is fortunate to have Steven Osborne as his accompanist … a pianist of the first rank’ (International Record Review) ‘Osborne is simply a fantastic musician … simply astounding, binding his phrases in a way that eluded Barenboim, while providing just as much rhythmic acuity … Kenneth Hamilton has written an outstanding analysis of both works that I commend to your attention … Hyperion&sound quality...