A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Alkan, Charles

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1502426A Dictionary of Music and Musicians — Alkan, Charles


ALKAN, Charles Henri Valentin. Born at Paris, 1813; still living (1875) [App. p.819 "date of death, March 29, 1888"]. Pianist and composer, chiefly of études and caprices for his instrument. His astounding op. 35 (12 études), op. 39 (12 études), and Trois grandes Études, (1) 'Fantaisie pour la main gauche seul,' (2) 'Introduction et Finale pour la main droite seule,' (3) 'Etude à mouvement semblable et perpetuel pour les deux mains,' have not yet met with the attention on the part of pianoforte virtuosi which they merit. They belong to the most modern developement of the technique of the instrument, and represent in fact the extreme point which it has reached. Though they cannot stand comparison in point of beauty and absolute musical value with the études of Chopin and Liszt, yet, like those of Anton Rubinstein, which are in some respects akin to them, they have a valid claim to be studied; for they present technical specialities nowhere else to be found, difficulties of a titanic sort, effects peculiar to the instrument carried to the very verge of impossibility. Alkan was admitted to the Conservatoire of Paris in his sixth year (1819) and remained there until 1830, during which term he was successful in several competitions, and left the institution with the first prize in 1826, and honourable mention at the Concours of the Institut in 1831. After a short visit to London in 1833 he settled as a master of the pianoforte at Paris. His published compositions mount up to opus 72, and include two concertos, several sonatas and duos, a trio, a large number of piéces caractéristiqucs, and transcriptions and songs. Amongst these his works for the pianoforte with pedals, known in England as the 'Pedalier grand,' op. 64, 66, 69 and 72, take rank with his études. [App. p.521 "See also ii. 731 a."]
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