Sym Pno/Trios Morceaux Dans Le

"Salut, cendre du pauvre" - tough to categorize this work with any other composer. It's not as dramatic as most of the works in this CD. If Beethoven's 6th symphony brought the listener closer to nature, I guess that would be a similar reasoning with this work.

"Alleuia" - short work, the name says it all. The least interesting recording in the CD.

"Super flumina Babylonia" - a very interesting, dramatic work. I somehow find this work similar to a Bach keyboard toccata. It has a very interesting fugue in the middle and I just wished Alkan would've developed it longer considering it goes back to the original slow theme before it really has a chance to take off.

"Aime moi" - This is the highlight of the CD. This work has as much emotional range as any of the great Chopin Ballades. The main theme is one of the most beautiful music that I ever heard. Hamelin really brings a sense of longing to this work. Arthur Rubinstein would've been proud of this recording.

"Le Vent" - Very similar to the effect that Chopin brought to the op. 25 no. 12 etude, also known as the "Ocean Etude." Very interesting, but the main theme doesn't really develop into anything... but neither did Chopin and his work.

"Morte" - Take Chopin's great Polonaise-fantaisie in Aflat-major.... and instead of the dreamlike motif, substitute it with the Dies Irae theme. This is a truly great work and Hamelin does a wonderful job assimilating all the different moments.

This has to be the finest recording of the Sypmhony ever! Everyone I have spoken to comment on the way Marc-Andre Hamelin plays the Presto Finale - yes sure the speed is amazing and it is faultless throughout, but I think that he plays the first movement Allegro Moderato the best. As the first notes sound, you can hear something extraordinary is about to happen. He plays the first movement with such maturity - he interprets it the way it should be - with passion, fire, sorrow etc. His lyrical lines always lead somewhere and his pedalling is fantastic. The best part though in this movement is the coda - full of agitation, strong fingerwork and careful phrasing make it a wondrous close to the first movement.

Next is the Marche Funebre. I think people under-estimate the difficulty of this piece. It calls for both hands to play and sustain a note with the 5th finger and then the other fingers play staccato chords. Hamelin does this with a wonderful effect and, even though it is a 'Funeral', he always keeps the march pace.

The Minuet (Scherzo): Hamelin pulls this off with EXCELLENT phrasing, accentuation, pedalling and speed. He really makes it sound like a Scherzo (which in actual fact it is). In complete contrast to the Scherzo - the Trio just wants to make you fall asleep - the cantabile playing is unmatched and dreamlike!

Presto Finale: What can I say - "a ride in hell" played with energy provides a fantastic conlcusion to an original work.

The Next Three Pieces:

All not too long and very interesting. One that I must point out though is the Alleluia. Hamelin plays this with a strong, even tone on every chord, which makes it actually sound like a massive choir - the effect is spine-tingling!

Trois Morceaux dans le Genre Pathetique:

Wow,wow,wow! These three pieces have been brought back to life! As Aime-Moi filled my room, I could feel Hamelin's emotions soaring through the BEAUTIFUL melodic lines. Within seconds I was crying! Aime-Moi is definately my favourite piece in this set and is just so delicious! I would buy the CD just for that piece!
Le vent: Immediately you can hear the wind whining through trees and long grasses in Paris (well, in my vision. This is really portrayed perfectly and should definately become popular again!
Morte: The Most mature of the set. Really demading music requring full musical potential and understanding of the music - this piece is definately "obscure in a good way". I love Hamelin's account of this piece - he plays it with such love and care - unmissable!

Summary: Get it now!

Bon apetit!
Gareth Ross

The only disappointment for me was the fourth movement of the symphony. Not that it's bad or anything, but for me, it just didn't work. I'm usually the last person to complain about Hamelin's well known tendency to make everything sound "too easy", but in this case, it really DOES seem detrimental to the music. I much prefer Gibbons in this movement - he really makes it sound like a ride in hell. Hamelin's lacks some of the passion and drive in the searing Gibbons' account. Hamelin's consistent ultra-clarity and slavery to the beat sort of dullened it for me - and the left hand octaves in the climax section really needed stronger accenting. The first movement however belongs to Hamelin - His performance is more dynamic, intense, and interesting than any other I've heard. Definitive. The second and third movements are both unique and carefully thought out. Everything else on the disc is just as I'd expect from this pianist - standard-setting and definitive. Here's hoping that Hamelin will include at least one of the remaining Op. 39 etudes (Comme le Vent, En Rhythme Molossique, Scherzo Diabolique, and Overture - minus the concerto he's already recorded) on his upcoming encore disc.