Charles-Valentin Alkan

Charles-Valentin Alkan (1813–1888) – French pianist, composer and teacher. He studied at the Paris Conservatory with P. J. Zimmermann from the age of six. His compositions for piano, in which the bold chromaticised harmonies went beyond current conventions, were renowned for the great difficulties that they set before the performer. Fryderyk Chopin performed in a concert organised by Alkan in March 1838 at the Salle Pleyel, sitting at one piano with one of his favourite pupils, Adolphe Gutmann. With Alkan and Zimmermann at the other piano, they played two movements of Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony in Alkan’s transcription. Chopin and Alkan remained on friendly terms, and the French virtuoso and composer often appears in Chopin’s correspondence. Thomas Tellefsen also performed in concert with Alkan and Ferdinand Hiller (in 1853).