Charles‐Valentin Alkan was one of the most important pianists and piano-composers of the 19th century, although he lived the largest part of his life in obscurity and seclusion. He was a close friend of Chopin (they were neighbours in Paris) and he was the only pianist in whose presence the great Franz Liszt was nervous to play.

Alkan’s piano oeuvre consists of two cycles of Studies of the most fearsome and fiendish difficulty, and several books of miniatures and character pieces.

Fortepianist Costantino Mastroprimiano chose a varied programme, presenting the multi-faceted genius of Alkan: alongside the substantial and diabolical Sonatine (which belies its name, both in proportions and character) he plays some hauntingly beautiful Nocturnes and some grotesque miniatures (Le tambour bat aux champs, Capriccio alla soldatesca).

Mastroprimiano, one of the foremost players of period instruments of today, chose a superb Pleyel instrument of 1865, an instrument Alkan might well have known in his time. Liner notes by the artist.