Thesis (M.A.)--Ohio State University, 1966. / Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center

Charles Valentin Alkan (1813-1888), one of the great genii in music history, was widely misunderstood by his contemporaries because of his highly idiosyncratic ideas. From the perspective of the late twentieth century, his innovations can be better understood, and his music is now gaining wider appreciation. Yet, today many musicians still do not know even his name, much less his achievements. The year 1988 marks the one hundredth year since his death. In commemoration of this centennial anniversary, this thesis is presented as a plea for a greater awareness of the achievements of this important figure in the development of piano music.

Cette thèse est une recherche comparative globale des techniques pianistiques utilisées dans les Douze études dans les tons mineurs op. 39 de Charles-Valentin Alkan et les Études d'exécution transcendante de Franz Liszt. À partir de ce concept, ce document explore l'évolution du piano en France à l'époque des deux compositeurs. De plus, il détermine leurs innovations pianistiques ainsi que les styles personnels qui les caractérisent dans ces deux recueils. On y trouve également une analyse du langage musical apparu dans chaque étude et l'influence des autres compositeurs. Cet écrit présente un parcours des différentes textures pianistiques du point de vue de l'interprète. Ce survol a pour but d'arriver à une pratique optimale ainsi qu'à une utilisation efficace des moyens corporels pour obtenir une meilleure qualité de son. En somme, cette recherche porte sur la résolution des problèmes techniques des œuvres de ces deux compositeurs qui se trouvent au sommet de la virtuosité au 19e siècle. / This thesis is a comprehensive comparative research of piano techniques used in Charles-Valentin Alkan's Twelve Etudes In the Minor Keys op. 39 and Franz Liszt's Transcendental Etude. From this starting point, this document explores the historical evolution of the piano in France during these two composer's time. It also determines their pianistic innovations as well as the personal styles that define them in these two collections. The reader will also find an analysis of the musical language that appeared in each etude as well as the influence from other composers' styles. This document presents an overview of different pianistic textures explained from the interpreter's standpoint. This overview targets an optimal way for practicing and an efficient use of the body in order to obtain a better sound quality. Thus, this research is about the resolution of technical problems that one can find in the works of these two composers who are at the top of the 19th Century's virtuosity