Charles-Valentin Alkan (1813-1888) was a French composer and virtuoso pianist who ranked among Paris's leading musicians in the 1830s and 1840s, alongside Chopin and Liszt. A child prodigy who entered the Paris Conservatoire before age six, he became known for both his exceptional talent and his tendency to withdraw from public life.

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Despite his early success and wide circle of artistic friends, Alkan became increasingly reclusive from 1848 onwards, focusing on composition rather than performance. During this period, he produced some of his most significant works, including complex pieces for solo piano that are considered masterpieces of the repertoire. His Jewish heritage significantly influenced his compositions, making him the first composer to incorporate Jewish melodies into art music.

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Following his death in 1888, Alkan's music fell into obscurity for many years. It wasn't until the late 1960s that his works began to be revived and recognized for their importance, technical complexity, and innovative nature. Raymond Lewenthal and Ronald Smith led the effort to record his music and bring it back into public view. Today, he is remembered as a unique figure in musical history who pushed the boundaries of piano composition and technique, though he remains less well-known than many of his contemporaries.