Charles-Valentin Alkan

About

One of Paris' leading virtuoso pianists during the 1830s and 1840s. He was considered to be Frederic Chopin and Franz Liszt's equal and was known for his reclusiveness.

Before Fame

He was studying at the Conservatoire de Paris before he turned six years old. He garnered early acclaim.

Trivia

His work was largely forgotten until the 1960s when Raymond Lewenthal and Ronald Smith devoted themselves to reviving its popularity.

Family Life

He was loyal to his Jewish heritage, becoming the first to combine Jewish melodies with art-music. He was never married, but allegedly fathered virtuoso pianist Élie-Miriam Delaborde.

Associated With

He was one of the few French composers of his era to embrace the works of Johann Sebastian Bach.