Charles-Louis Hanon

About

Though he also composed a series of Ecclesiastical pieces and published a piano instructional volume titled the Methode Elementaire de Piano, this French piano teacher and composer is best remembered for his 1873 publication The Virtuoso Pianist in 60 Exercises.

Before Fame

During his childhood years, he studied the organ.

Trivia

While pursuing his music career, he was also active in the Roman Catholic church: he belonged to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and joined the Third Franciscan Order.

Family Life

He and his brother and fellow musician, Francois Hanon, grew up in Renescure, France.

Associated With

Russian romantic pianist and composer Sergei Rachmaninoff credited Hanon's piano instructional exercises with inspiring a generation of Russian piano virtuosi.