Welcome to the official website of the International Music Association C.V. Alkan-P.J.G. Zimmerman

Under the auspices of the Gina Bachauer International Music Association

Charles-Valentin Alkan (1813-1888) was one of the most outstanding piano virtuosos of his age and a genial composer. His personality was strong and imaginative. During his time he was considered a great musician and was compared with such masters as Frédéric Chopin and Franz Liszt. Chopin was one of his closest friends. Pierre-Joseph-Guillaume Zimmerman (or Zimmermann, 1785-1853) was Alkan’s beloved piano professor at the Conservatoire de Paris. He was considered the best piano professor and one of the most interesting composers of France during his time. Ambroise Thomas, Charles Gounod, Georges Bizet and César Franck were among his most famous students. Zimmerman organised legendary concerts at his home inviting the most famous musicians to perform. Alkan considered Zimmerman a father figure, cherished him and remembered him throughout his life.

The ALKAN-ZIMMERMAN INTERNATIONAL MUSIC ASSOCIATION promotes music by important nineteenth century composers-pianists who were famous during their lifetimes and who are mostly forgotten today.

The ALKAN-ZIMMERMAN MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION consists of a large number of important autograph manuscripts of Alkan, Zimmerman and famous composers-pianists of their era.
It is with great admiration, love and respect that we dedicate the ALKAN-ZIMMERMAN INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION to the memory of these two unique personalities and to the memory of legendary composers-pianists of the 19th century who are forgotten today.

Constantine P. Carambelas-Sgourdas

President of the C.V. Alkan-P.J.G. Zimmerman International Music Association

 

September 17, 2024

Cremona Musica, Round Table | Charles-Valentin Alkan: Roots, Influences and the Performance of his music in the 21st century

  Cremona Musica, 29th of September 2024 Round Table Charles-Valentin Alkan: Roots, Influences and the Performance of his music in the 21st century Charles-Valentin Alkan (1813-1888) […]
June 25, 2018

Time schedule of the 4th C.V. Alkan-P.J.G. Zimmerman International Piano Competition

Time schedule of the 4th C.V. Alkan-P.J.G. Zimmerman International Piano Competition First round: Wednesday the 28th of March, at 10.00 a.m., at the Municipality of Kalithea […]
June 25, 2018

Results of the 4th C.V. Alkan-P.J.G. Zimmerman

1st Prize….not awarded 2nd Prize…. ex aequo Cowley Fu (Australia) and Federico Crema (Italy) 3rd Prize….Eleftherios Misirgis (Greece) Special award…Chia-Yu Hsu (China)