Charles-Valentin Alkan Photo: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
Wagner and Verdi were both born in 1813, making that a pretty auspicious year for music.
Also born that year was the lesser-known French-Jewish composer and virtuoso pianist Charles-Valentin Alkan. Hans von Bülow called him the “Berlioz of the piano”, Liszt admired him and said his technique was second to none; Rossini called him “that wonderful child”.
But despite his talent, his temperament led to his career going off the rails somewhat and it is only recently that some of his remarkable works have been brought out of obscurity.
Music Details:
Alkan: Nocturne in B Op 22 - Jack Gibbons (piano) (ASV)
Alkan: Comme le vent, from 12 Etudes in minor keys Op 39 - Jack Gibbons (piano) (ASV)
Alkan: 3rd mvt, Concerto da Camera in A minor Op 20/1 - Marc-Andre Hamelin, BBC Scottish SO / Brabbins (Hyperion)
Alkan: 3rd mvt, Grand Duo Concertante in F# minor Op 21 - Trio Alkan (Marco Polo)
Alkan: En rhythme molossique, from 12 Etudes in minor keys Op 39 - Jack Gibbons (piano) (ASV)
Alkan: Scherzo diabolique, from 12 Etudes in minor keys Op 39 - Jack Gibbons (piano) (ASV)
Alkan: 1st mvt, from Symphony, from 12 Etudes in minor keys Op 39 - Jack Gibbons (piano) (ASV)
Alkan: Adagio, from Sonate de Concert in E Op 47 - Trio Alkan (Marco Polo)
Alkan: 2nd mvt, from Symphony, from 12 Etudes in minor keys Op 39 - Jack Gibbons (piano) (ASV)
Alkan: Prelude in Bb minor Op 66/10 - John Wells (organ) (Ribbonwood)
Alkan: Prelude in Bb minor Op 66/10 - Olivier Latry (pedal piano) (Naïve)
Alkan: 1st mvt, Piano Trio in G minor Op 30 - Trio Alkan (Marco Polo)
Alkan: Prayer in E Op 64/2 - John Wells (organ) (Ribbonwood)
Alkan: Prayer in E minor Op 64/3 - John Wells (organ) (Ribbonwood)
Alkan: 3rd mvt, Concerto da Camera in A minor Op 20/1 - Marc-Andre Hamelin, BBC Scottish SO / Brabbins (Hyperion)
