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Charles-Valentin Alkan

Artist

Charles-Valentin Alkan

Personb. 1813 · Paris, France, France

classical piano

Contribution

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Bio

Charles-Valentin Alkan (1813–1888) was a French pianist and composer renowned for his technically demanding keyboard works. Born in Paris, he entered the Conservatoire at age six and later became a leading virtuoso of his generation, admired by Liszt and Chopin. His compositions, which include the massive “Concerto for Solo Piano” and the set of études “Comme le vent,” push the limits of nineteenth-century piano technique. Despite his early success, Alkan withdrew from public performance for long periods, devoting himself to composition and private teaching. His music combines Classical clarity with Romantic expressiveness and often incorporates Jewish liturgical motifs. Rediscovered in the twentieth century, Alkan is now recognized as one of the most original and challenging figures in French piano literature.

Popular tracks

  1. 1
    Recueil de chants, Op. 65: No. 6, Barcarolle cover art

    Recueil de chants, Op. 65: No. 6, Barcarolle

    Track

    3:37
  2. 2
    48 Esquisses, Op. 63, Book 1: No. 1, La vision cover art

    48 Esquisses, Op. 63, Book 1: No. 1, La vision

    Track

    2:55
  3. 3
    Nocturne in B Major, Op. 22 cover art

    Nocturne in B Major, Op. 22

    Track

    5:50
  4. 4
    Recueil de Chants, Op. 65: No. 6, Barcarolle in G Minor cover art

    Recueil de Chants, Op. 65: No. 6, Barcarolle in G Minor

    Track

    4:13
  5. 5
    Symphony for Solo Piano (From 12 Etudes, Op. 39): IV. Finale, Op. 39 No. 7 cover art

    Symphony for Solo Piano (From 12 Etudes, Op. 39): IV. Finale, Op. 39 No. 7

    Track

    4:25
  6. 6
    Etude from the Encyclopédie du pianiste Compositeur cover art

    Etude from the Encyclopédie du pianiste Compositeur

    Track

    3:53
  7. 7
    Recueil de chants III, Op. 65: VI. Barcarolle. Assez lentement cover art

    Recueil de chants III, Op. 65: VI. Barcarolle. Assez lentement

    Track

    3:28
  8. 8
    25 Préludes dans tous les tons majeurs et mineurs, Op. 31: No. 8 La chanson de la folle au bord de la mer: Lentement cover art

    25 Préludes dans tous les tons majeurs et mineurs, Op. 31: No. 8 La chanson de la folle au bord de la mer: Lentement

    Track

    4:42
  9. 9
    12 Etudes in All the Minor Keys, Op. 39 / No. 12, Le festin d'Ésope: Thema – Var. 1 - Var. 7 cover art

    12 Etudes in All the Minor Keys, Op. 39 / No. 12, Le festin d'Ésope: Thema – Var. 1 - Var. 7

    Track

    2:04
  10. 10
    Concerto for Solo Piano (From 12 Etudes, Op. 39): III. Allegretto alla barbaresca, Op. 39 No. 10 cover art

    Concerto for Solo Piano (From 12 Etudes, Op. 39): III. Allegretto alla barbaresca, Op. 39 No. 10

    Track

    9:25
  11. 11
    Concerto for Solo Piano (From 12 Etudes, Op. 39): I. Allegro assai, Op. 39 No. 8 cover art

    Concerto for Solo Piano (From 12 Etudes, Op. 39): I. Allegro assai, Op. 39 No. 8

    Track

    28:21
  12. 12
    12 Etudes in All the Minor Keys, Op. 39 / No. 12, Le festin d'Ésope: Var. 8 - Var. 13 cover art

    12 Etudes in All the Minor Keys, Op. 39 / No. 12, Le festin d'Ésope: Var. 8 - Var. 13

    Track

    1:49

Albums

Winter Adagios cover art

Winter Adagios

Album · 2026

Alkan: Esquisses (49 Sketches), Op. 63 cover art

Alkan: Esquisses (49 Sketches), Op. 63

Album · 2003

Torrid Classics - Voluptuous Music for Passionate Nights cover art

Torrid Classics - Voluptuous Music for Passionate Nights

Album · 2026

Stephen Hough's French Album cover art

Stephen Hough's French Album

Album · 2012

Alkan: Piano Works cover art

Alkan: Piano Works

Album · 2013

Alkan: Symphony for Solo Piano; Souvenirs cover art

Alkan: Symphony for Solo Piano; Souvenirs

Album · 2001

Alkan: 12 Etudes, Op.39 cover art

Alkan: 12 Etudes, Op.39

Album · 1995

Alkan: 11 Pièces dans le style religieux, Op. 72, Étude Alla-Barbaro cover art

Alkan: 11 Pièces dans le style religieux, Op. 72, Étude Alla-Barbaro

Album · 2022

Alkan: Grande Sonate, Op. 33; Symphony for Solo Piano; Barcarolle cover art

Alkan: Grande Sonate, Op. 33; Symphony for Solo Piano; Barcarolle

Album · 2026

Alkan: Preludes, Op. 31 cover art

Alkan: Preludes, Op. 31

Album · 1990

Alkan: Concerto for Solo Piano; Troisième recueil de chants cover art

Alkan: Concerto for Solo Piano; Troisième recueil de chants

Album · 2007

Music by the Sea cover art

Music by the Sea

Album · 2025