Joseph Nolan: The Complete Alkan Organ Works, Vol 1 album review – seething with quasi-orchestral colour

2026-03-13 - 06:23

(Signum) From operatic frenzy in one moment to pianissimo whisper the next, Nolan does exhilarating justice to an extraordinary but little known repertoire Charles-Valentin Alkan was undoubtedly one of the great composers of his day. Chopin, his friend and one-time nextdoor neighbour, was an enthusiastic admirer, while Liszt cited Alkan as the only person in whose presence he felt nervous performing. Many of his keyboard works are notoriously difficult to play, yet all are immaculately crafted. Nevertheless, his music has stubbornly refused to enter the mainstream. Joseph Nolan, who has recorded Alkan’s complete organ works, is convinced of his genius, comparing the music to “Widor on steroids”. Listening to this first volume, performed on the breathtaking organ of Église Saint Martin in Dudelange, Luxembourg, that seems an apt description. Not only does Nolan’s playing exhibit a death-defying virtuosity, Signum’s richly spacious recording is guaranteed to put the swankiest of speaker systems through its paces. Continue reading...