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Marc-André Hamelin is a Canadian virtuoso pianist and composer known for his exceptional technical skills and interpretation of a wide range of repertoire. However, "Circus Galop" is not a composition by Marc-André Hamelin; it's a piece written by American composer and pianist Dave Soldier.

Here are some interesting facts about "Circus Galop" and its connection to Marc-André Hamelin:

1. Composer: "Circus Galop" was composed by Dave Soldier in 1994. The piece is a modern composition that captures the spirit of a circus with its lively and chaotic character.

2. Instrumentation: The original version of "Circus Galop" was written for player piano, a self-playing piano that uses perforated paper rolls to control the keys. It's a challenging piece that requires incredible precision and speed to perform.

3. Recorded Performance by Marc-André Hamelin: Although Marc-André Hamelin did not compose "Circus Galop," he gained recognition for his incredible piano performance of the piece. Hamelin recorded a version of the composition on a Yamaha Disklavier (a modern version of the player piano) for a CD titled "Carnival of the Animals."

4. Technical Difficulty: "Circus Galop" is renowned for its technical difficulty, featuring rapid and intricate passages that push the limits of what can be played on the piano. Hamelin's virtuosity and precision make his rendition particularly impressive.

5. Collaboration with John Hockenberry: Dave Soldier collaborated with journalist and radio personality John Hockenberry to create an animated video for "Circus Galop." The video features a virtual circus with acrobats, animals, and various performers, bringing the music to life in a playful and entertaining way.

While Marc-André Hamelin did not compose "Circus Galop," his performance of the piece has contributed to its popularity and showcases his remarkable technical prowess on the piano.