CHARLES

See also:

• HENRI

HENRI VALENTIN MORHANGE

See also:

• CHARLES HENRI VALENTIN MORHANGE ALKAN (1813-1888)

ALKAN (1813-1888)  , French musical composer, was born and died in Paris . Alkan was his nom de guerre . Admitted to the Conservatoire of Paris in his sixth year, he had a distinguished career there until 1830 . He visited London in 1833, after which he settled in Paris as a pianoforte teacher till his death . He is important as the composer of a large number of pianoforte etudes, embodying the most extravagant technical difficulties . His invention was not modern enough to secure for these works that attention which they deserve as representing a pianoforte technique and sense of effect in some respects more advanced even than that of Liszt, though lacking Liszt's economy and tact .