I know there are a number of Alkan fans here, so I'm a little surprised
that no one has mentioned the death of Alkan specialist extraordinaire
Ronald Smith on May 27.  For those who don't know the name: he was an
early advocate of Alkan's music on recordings, and many feel he was one
of the very best.  There are excellent obituaries at:

   http://www.fitz.cam.ac.uk/music/smith.htm
   http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/06/17/db1702.xml

I happened on them while researching the performances to be found on a
new EMI budget release of Smith performances from 1977 and 1984.  It's
a 2CD set and gathers together much that has been rather hard to find
lately:

   Nocturne #1, Op. 22
   Gigue, Op. 24
   Preludes, Op. 31/11-13,15,16
   Marche, Op. 37/1
   Symphony for Solo Piano, Op. 39/4-7
   Concerto for Solo Piano, Op. 39/8-10
   Etude dans les tons mineurs, Op. 39/11
   Petites Fantaisies, Op. 41
   Le Tambour bat aux champs, Op. 50/2
   Esquisses, Op. 63
   Toccatina, Op. 75

Fans will note with particular interest the inclusion of the magnificent
concerto for solo piano. These recordings have been newly remastered
and sound quite fine.  I found mine at Border's for $11.99, and highly
recommend it.  Here's a link to Amazon's listing:

   http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000CE7FF/classicalnetA/

Dave Lampson
http://www.classical.net/