Adam Aleksander
Live Performances of Great Piano Classics: Balakirev: Islamey, Chopin, Liszt: La Campanella, Szymanowski, Rachmaninov, Beethoven
© 2004 Adam Aleksander Wegrzynek (634479062179) (format: CD-R)
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Winner of many international piano competitions, pianist Adam Aleksander has performed around the world to the acclaim of critics and audiences.
tracks
- 1 Balakirev - Oriental Fantasy Islamey
- 2 Chopin - Etude in C Major, Op. 10, #1
- 3 Chopin - Mazurka in A Minor, Op. 17, #4
- 4 Chopin - Scherzo No. 3 in C Sharp Minor, Op. 39
- 5 Chopin - Polonaise in A Flat Major, Op. 53
- 6 Liszt - La Campanella, (Paganini Etude No. 3)
- 7 Beethoven - Bagatelle Op. 33, No. 4, A Major
- 8 Beethoven - Bagatelle Op. 33, No. 5 C Major
- 9 Beethoven - Bagatelle Op. 33, No. 6 D Major
- 10 Beethoven - Bagatelle Op. 33, No. 7 A Flat Major
- 11 Rachmaninov - Etude Tableau in E Flat Minor, Op. 39, #5
- 12 Debussy - Prelude Bruyeres from Book 2
- 13 Szymanowski - Sonata No. 3, Op. 36
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This album (or individual tracks) is also available for digital download at iSound, iTunes, Napster, Rhapsody, MusicMatch, MP3tunes, Weed, MSN music, Sony Direct and many more digital sites.
Critics have hailed Adam Aleksander's playing as having "rare finesse...gorgeous sonority and nimble fingers...generous of feeling, mood and tonal resources" (Cleveland Plain Dealer); "(Aleksander) is a consummate pianist...outstanding artist" (Miami Herald); having "phenomenal technique, which allows him to achieve extremely musical ends" (Byron Belt, Newshouse News Service); "(Aleksander) is one of the great artists of the city and promises to become one of the greatest pianists..." (Daniel Fernandez, El Nuevo Herald), "...exquisite...subtlety and grace...fire and brimstone...rare depth and substance...introspective... exhilarating!" (Pat Leitch, Coral Gables Gazette.)
Born in Edmonton, Canada, Adam Aleksander has been performing to the acclaim of audiences worldwide since his debut with orchestra at the age of fourteen with the Chopin Piano Concerto in E Minor. He has studied with Sergei Babayan at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Regina Smendzianka at the Chopin Academy in Warsaw, and Jim Bonn at the University of Southern California. He has performed at festivals in Tokyo, Tours, Atami, Orford, Quebec, Interlochen, Michigan, Cleveland, Miami, Slupsk as well as Antonin, Poland.
Aleksander has received top prizes in over nineteen piano competitions, including international competitions in Barcelona, Paris, Salerno, Miami, Edmonton and Palm Beach, and has received prizes for his recordings in competitions in Austin, Texas and Calgary, Canada. In addition, he has been awarded grants from The Canada Council and The Alberta Heritage Trust Fund.
Adam Aleksander has made television, CD, and radio recordings and has performed in Japan, Italy, France, Spain, Poland, South Africa, Scotland, Brazil, Ecuador, Canada and the U.S.
reviews
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Astounding Musicianship
author: StewartCD shows him as totally in command of the instrument, and also with deep insights into the intentions of the composer, that's even more important. Just a wonderful performance in every way.
Better than you would expect, this guy is good.
author: young pianist from NorwayThis is quite possibly the best pianist you've never heard of. The CD starts with a few really fast pieces, which mr. Aleksander cruises through, but there are more lyrical pieces later, on this CD, in which it becomes clear that this is not just a pianist that can play really fast (although he might be showing off technique as his forté, perhaps due to a desire to be acknowledged as a great pianist). He performs the prelude by Debussy, the mazurka by Chopin and the etüde by Liszt for example, with great emotion and buildup, much beyond popular catchyness. I know of several pianists who are famous, but are nowhere close to ever attaining such lyrical provess. Like a friend of mine said: "he puts his soul in his performance". At the same time as showing amazing control and technical ability in for example the performance of Islamey. This is a terrific buy, and it is amazing to recieve this cd home burnt with the pen writing "Adam Aleksander" on it. For all I know he might have written on it himself, which makes this something of a signed copy, or better. In any case it is charming to recieve such a good cd at a time when the pianist seems to not have reached widespread recognition yet. Buy this cd, it is well worth it. Adam Aleksander is now one of my favourite pianists.
Spectacular recordings!
author: Barbara BIt's hard to believe that this is a LIVE recording of Balakirev's Islamey Fantasy! Few pianists attempt this piece on stage, it is THAT difficult perform. It's by far the best recording I have ever heard of this extremely difficult composition. I am a classically trained pianist myself, and consider myself lucky to finally find a recording of this piece performed so musically and with technical perfection. Wow! The other recordings on this CD are equally amazing, this pianist obviously has tremendous technical capabilities, and understands the music of all eras. His music is sensitive, passionate and exciting. His Chopin literally brought me to tears! I definitely recommend this CD to anyone who appreciates classical music!