Charles-Valentin Alkan's cycle of variations Le Festin d'Ésope derives from his monumental series of etudes op. 39, the 12 Études dans tous les Tons Mineurs, and forms the culmination of that work. Now G. Henle Publishers presents, for the first time in an Urtext edition, what is by far the most well-known piano composition by this French pianist and composer notorious for the extreme virtuosity of his works. Because no autograph manuscripts survive, the first edition from 1857 is the sole source. The premier Alkan scholar Wolfgang Rathert gives details about the life and oeuvre of the composer in his preface, while fingerings are provided by the Italian keyboard virtuoso Vincenzo Maltempo, who has recorded numerous works by Alkan. By popular demand, this composer may also now finally assume his place in the Henle Urtext catalogue!
About Henle Urtext
What I can expect from Henle Urtext editions:
error-free, reliable musical texts based on meticulous musicological research - fingerings and bowings by famous artists and pedagoguespreface in 3 languages with information on the genesis and history of the work Critical Commentary in 1 – 3 languages with a description and evaluation of the sources and explaining all source discrepancies and editorial decisions most beautiful music engraving page-turns, fold-out pages, and cues where you need them excellent print quality and binding largest Urtext catalogue world-wide longest Urtext experience (founded 1948 exclusively for "Urtext" editions)
