Charles-Valentin Alkan was born on November 30, 1813 in Paris, France. He showed remarkable musical talent from a very young age, starting his studies at the prestigious Conservatoire de Paris before he even turned six years old. His exceptional skills quickly garnered him early acclaim and recognition in the music world.
Alkan was known as one of Paris' leading virtuoso pianists during the 1830s and 1840s. He was considered to be on par with renowned composers Frederic Chopin and Franz Liszt, with critics often comparing their musical prowess. Despite his musical talent, Alkan was known for his reclusiveness and led a largely solitary life.
For many years, Alkan's work was largely forgotten and overlooked. It wasn't until the 1960s when pianists Raymond Lewenthal and Ronald Smith dedicated themselves to reviving Alkan's music and bringing it back into the spotlight. Their efforts helped to reintroduce Alkan's compositions to a new generation of music enthusiasts.
Alkan's music was known for its complexity and technical difficulty, often pushing the boundaries of traditional classical music. He was one of the few French composers of his era to embrace the works of Johann Sebastian Bach, incorporating elements of Baroque music into his compositions. Alkan also stood out for his loyalty to his Jewish heritage, blending Jewish melodies with art-music in a unique and innovative way.
Despite his musical success, Alkan led a private and somewhat mysterious personal life. He never married and lived a solitary existence, devoting himself entirely to his music and compositions. It is rumored that he may have fathered virtuoso pianist Élie-Miriam Delaborde, although this has never been definitively proven.
Charles-Valentin Alkan passed away on March 29, 1888, leaving behind a legacy of innovative and groundbreaking musical compositions that continue to be celebrated and performed to this day.