Charles-Valentin Alkan: The Enigmatic Virtuoso of the Piano
Charles-Valentin Alkan was a French composer, pianist, and teacher of Jewish descent, renowned as one of the greatest virtuoso pianists of the 19th century. A contemporary and close friend of Frédéric Chopin and Franz Liszt, he composed intensely complex and visionary works primarily for the piano, often exploring extreme technical demands and profound emotional depth.Born in Paris, Alkan was a child prodigy, entering the Paris Conservatoire at age six. He achieved early fame as a pianist but...