Alkan is perhaps no longer unsung, but his works for organ (largely, in fact, for pédalier / pedal-piano) most certainly are.
On my recommendation a decade ago, Signum have now released the first of a new series of three disks (https://signumrecords.com/product/the-complete-alkan-organ-works-vol-1/SIGCD982/) by British-Australian organist Joseph Nolan that delves into this fascinating repertoire.
It won't be for everyone here, I understand, but all bias genuinely aside and even if organ music is not your normal listening pleasure, I wholeheartedly recommend members either sample this music at one of the various streaming sites, or go all in and buy the first disk. Much of the music is on a par with much more well-known works for the medium, and there is a genuine masterpiece there in Alkan's Impromptu on Luther's Ein Feste Burg. There is a symphonic grandeur to much of it that the organ used brings to the fore magnificently.
The only other recordings currently available that cover the gamut of this particular area in Alkan's output are the ones by Kevin Bowyer, recorded 20-40 years ago, so they have been ripe for rediscovery for some time!
He's at least undersung, I think we could agree - many a proudly dorky devotee like me will have heard of him and maybe even much by him, but many other classical music fans, neither.
Quote from: 4candles on Wednesday 29 April 2026, 13:19The only other recordings currently available that cover the gamut of this particular area in Alkan's output are the ones by Kevin Bowyer, recorded 20-40 years ago, so they have been ripe for rediscovery for some time!
Thanks for alerting us to these. I have the Bowyers and, much as I like Alkan, I am now wondering if it's worth the outlay to get the new recordings, when one has to count the pennies. ??? I'd love to hear if anyone has an opinion.
I also have the Bowyer recordings and give them a spin occasionally. I too have to count my pennies!
Incidentally and talking of Alkan, the wonderful Mark Viner's 8th piano music disc is out and it's another super recording (I reviewed it for The Alkan Society).