Photo: unidentified photographer, Paris, France / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Charles-Valentin Alkan was credited as a composer, pianist and linguist. Charles-Valentin Alkan was born in Paris, France on November 30, 1813. Death is recorded on March 29, 1888, at the age of 74. Credited works include Grande sonate 'Les quatre âges', Le chemin de fer, Op. 27 and Trois morceaux dans le genre pathétique.
My Take
Charles-Valentin Alkan is one of music history's great vanishing acts, and that's precisely why I'm fascinated. In 1830s and 40s Paris he stood beside Chopin and Liszt as a leading pianist, yet he slipped into obscurity and reclusion while they became household names. His works, the Grande sonate and the fiendish Trois grandes études among them, are notoriously near-unplayable, and he was a linguist and translator besides. I love that genuine originality refuses to stay buried. Alkan keeps getting rediscovered, and to me that slow return is proof that real invention outlasts fashion.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Charles-Valentin Alkan
- Name (Japanese)
- シャルル＝ヴァランタン・アルカン
- Reading
- しゃるる＝ゔぁらんたん・あるかん
- Born
- November 30, 1813 – March 29, 1888
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Sagittarius / Rooster
- Origin
- Paris, France
- Occupation
- composer / pianist / linguist / translator / music educator
2. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Grande sonate 'Les quatre âges' | — | |
| Notable work | Le chemin de fer, Op. 27 | — | |
| Notable work | Trois morceaux dans le genre pathétique | — | |
| Notable work | Comme le vent | — | |
| Notable work | Trois grandes études | — | |
| Notable work | Preludes, Op. 31 | — |
3. Links
- Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles-Valentin%20Alkan
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A3%E3%83%AB%E3%83%AB%EF%BC%9D%E3%83%B4%E3%82%A1%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BF%E3%83%B3%E3%83%BB%E3%82%A2%E3%83%AB%E3%82%AB%E3%83%B3
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q217068
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-23
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Charles-Valentin Alkan born?
Born November 30, 1813.
When did Charles-Valentin Alkan die?
Died March 29, 1888, aged 74.
Where was Charles-Valentin Alkan from?
Charles-Valentin Alkan was from Paris, France.
What did Charles-Valentin Alkan do?
Charles-Valentin Alkan worked as composer, pianist, linguist, translator, music educator.
What was Charles-Valentin Alkan known for?
Notable works include Grande sonate 'Les quatre âges', Le chemin de fer, Op. 27, Trois morceaux dans le genre pathétique.
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