More on One of Music's Greater Enigmas- Charles Valentin Alkan...
Before going into this blog, may I suggest that you go back to my January, 2009 blog, for base reference in the event that you are not terribly familiar with this rather unique figure in music?
I suppose that, arguably, the most enrapturing facet of the life of Charles Valentin Alkan may be his demise; after all, being done in by a section of one's own library smacks of the Unusual.
Whether or not he was killed by a falling section of his personal Talmudic library, or a clothes or umbrella holder (History continues to debate the exact conditions surrounding his final day), I am in a continuum of consternation whenever I think of, or listen to the music of this gifted musician.
For instance; to be admitted to conservatoire at age six is not an every day affair in human history - or, say, to have Chopin, Delacroix, Liszt, Dumas and Sand as admirers, and yet remain nothing more than a name in rather constant obscurity for much of the time between the period of his life span, and today.
Additionally, to be father of an illegitimate son who also played magnificently, but disappeared into the shadows, taking with him an image of the owner of such pets as cockatoos and apes.
Charles Valentin was an integral member of the Circle listed above; at the same time, he preferred living in more than one location during any particular period, so that he would be more effectively unavailable to those in search of him.
To enrapture not only those luminaries he knew so well, with his reportedly fantastic piano prowess, but also audiences for whom he performed (he became really well-known in the Parisian arena); and disappear for a generation or so, then reappear as that ravishing player of the piano and YES, the pedal piano, followed by, seemingly, that strange death -
And what about the music that he wrote?
He is the ONLY composer I have ever heard that leaves me with the following reaction:
His music has an aura of no, or little elemental originality, and is music which is most decidedly unique; all at the same time.
Go figure.
The mathematics embedded in his compositions are hugely impressive, and a number of his works fall into the category of being among the most difficult ever written for the piano in sheer physical technique - every bit the equal, in so many ways, to the pyrotechniqes of his friend Liszt.
Listen to Raymond Lewenthal, a superb player of the piano, no longer with us, who recorded a goodly number of the works of Alkan.
Do listen; and let's see if confusion reigns among your thoughts, like me...
I suppose that, arguably, the most enrapturing facet of the life of Charles Valentin Alkan may be his demise; after all, being done in by a section of one's own library smacks of the Unusual.
Whether or not he was killed by a falling section of his personal Talmudic library, or a clothes or umbrella holder (History continues to debate the exact conditions surrounding his final day), I am in a continuum of consternation whenever I think of, or listen to the music of this gifted musician.
For instance; to be admitted to conservatoire at age six is not an every day affair in human history - or, say, to have Chopin, Delacroix, Liszt, Dumas and Sand as admirers, and yet remain nothing more than a name in rather constant obscurity for much of the time between the period of his life span, and today.
Additionally, to be father of an illegitimate son who also played magnificently, but disappeared into the shadows, taking with him an image of the owner of such pets as cockatoos and apes.
Charles Valentin was an integral member of the Circle listed above; at the same time, he preferred living in more than one location during any particular period, so that he would be more effectively unavailable to those in search of him.
To enrapture not only those luminaries he knew so well, with his reportedly fantastic piano prowess, but also audiences for whom he performed (he became really well-known in the Parisian arena); and disappear for a generation or so, then reappear as that ravishing player of the piano and YES, the pedal piano, followed by, seemingly, that strange death -
And what about the music that he wrote?
He is the ONLY composer I have ever heard that leaves me with the following reaction:
His music has an aura of no, or little elemental originality, and is music which is most decidedly unique; all at the same time.
Go figure.
The mathematics embedded in his compositions are hugely impressive, and a number of his works fall into the category of being among the most difficult ever written for the piano in sheer physical technique - every bit the equal, in so many ways, to the pyrotechniqes of his friend Liszt.
Listen to Raymond Lewenthal, a superb player of the piano, no longer with us, who recorded a goodly number of the works of Alkan.
Do listen; and let's see if confusion reigns among your thoughts, like me...
posted by LH at
11:00 AM
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