Charles-Valentin Alkan was a pianist of transcendent technique, a forward-looking composer, and the most eccentric recluse in Paris.
Acclaimed in all circles as one of the finest keyboard artists of his day, he secluded himself in his home for years at a time. He shared the apartment with his illegitimate son, two apes and 100 cockatoos.
He was also known to exhibit obsessive tendencies. His “12 Etudes in All the Minor Keys” contains among its movements a full concerto and a symphony for solo piano. He translated the entire Bible (with Apocrypha) from its original languages, and he talked of setting the entire thing to music.
At the time of his death, his library contained 75 volumes in Hebrew or related to Judaism. He’s said to have been killed by a fallen bookcase after reaching for a volume of the Talmud, which was situated on a high shelf.
Alkan himself was top-shelf material. Admired by Chopin and Liszt, his refusal to travel, or even to leave his home, contributed to his general obscurity, though he continued to issue new, exciting scores to great acclaim. He was studied by Debussy, Ravel, Busoni and Rachmaninoff, but really it fell to pianists of our own time to rediscover Alkan’s genius.
Alkan (1813-1888) will be among our featured subjects this afternoon, as we celebrate his birthday anniversary. We’ll also hear from Swedish composer Ture Rangström (1884-1947); lied master Carl Loewe (1796-1869); lifelong friend of Richard Strauss, Ludwig Thuille (1861-1907); and late disciple of Mily Balakirev, Sergei Lyapunov (1859-1924). Finally, Romanian pianist Radu Lupu (b. 1945), another recluse, will perform music by Franz Schubert.
I myself will emerge from seclusion, from 4 to 7 p.m. EST, on WWFM – The Classical Network and at wwfm.org.
IMAGES: Alkan (left), in one of only two photos of him known to exist, and friend
