Charles-Valentin Alkan

Alkan, and his four brothers, all musicians, adopted their father's first name as their surname. Alkan Morhange (1780-1855) was the proprietor of a music school in Paris, and early on he recognized the musical talents of his young son Charles-Valentin. Consequently, at the age of five, Alkan was enrolled in the Paris Conservatory of Music, the breeding ground of many outstanding musicians and composers in the 19th century. Alkan studied composition and piano, making his debut at 12 years of age, performing his own compositions as well as those of others. He seemed a star ascen...