ALKAN, Charles Valentin
b Paris, 30 November 1813
d Paris, 29 March 1888, aged seventy-four

The Jewish family name was Morhange, but he, with his four brothers and his sister, who were all musicians, assumed the name of Alkan. He studied at the Paris Conservatory, taking first prize in piano at age ten, in harmony age thirteen and in organ age twenty. In 1831 he received honourable mention in the Prix de Rome competition. He devoted himself to composition and teaching, visiting London and settling in Paris in 1833. He was a shy, rather misanthropic man, who held no official appointments and made very few concert appearances.

1832 (19)

Hermann et Ketty, vocal work

Chamber Concerto No 1

1834 (21)

Chamber Concerto No 2

L’Entrée en Loge, vocal

1840 (27)

Pas redouble, for wind band

Grand duo concertante, for violin and piano 1

841 (28)

Piano Trio

1844 (31)

Symphony (lost)

1845 (31)

Romance du phare d’Eddystone, vocal (lost)

1847 (33)

Etz chajjim hi, vocal

1857 (43)

Sonata de concert, cello and piano

Halelouyoh, vocal

1859 (45)

Marcia Funebre, for piano

Stances de Millevoye, for piano

Alkan also wrote a large number of works for piano.