An unusual article from the website Classical Music, presented by the BBC Music magazine, titled “Charles-Valentin Alkan: the hermit who composed devilishly difficult piano works.” Here the term hermit refers to the contrast between Alkan’s considerable number of compositions, positively noted by Liszt, Chopin, George Sand,and Alexandre Dumas, and his apparently skilled performances to his behavior. He acquainted the label of hermit and recluse due to his regular refusal to bask in the success of his work, to shun public performances and appearances, and to his sensitivities and reactions to events arpund him.
Notes the article: “Alkan’s need for stay-at-home solitude may have related to some kind of depressive, obsessive-compulsive disorder, but the evidence we have is unclear. In company, his manner seems to have been generally straightforward and likeable: there was a warm friendship with Chopin, who shared something of Alkan’s resistance to public appearances, himself preferring to play in semi-private salons.”
Includes links to YouTube of Alkan’s music performed.
URL: https://www.classical-music.com/features/composers/charles-valentin-alkan