Charles-Louis Hanon

Full biography Charles-Louis Hanon

Charles-Louis Hanon (2 July 1819 – 19 March 1900) was a French piano pedagogue and composer. He is perhaps best known for his piano exercises collection, "The Virtuoso Pianist in 60 Exercises," which has become a standard method of study for piano students. In addition to his famous collection of exercises, Hanon also composed a number of pieces, including a ballet, a piano concerto, and various transcriptions of classical works.

Hanon was born in Renescure, a town in northern France, and began studying music at a young age. He later moved to Paris, where he worked as a piano teacher and wrote many of his works. In addition to his musical pursuits, Hanon was also a skilled linguist and worked as a translator for a time.

Hanon's "Virtuoso Pianist" exercises have been widely used by piano students and teachers since their publication in the 19th century. The exercises focus on developing technical skills such as finger strength, dexterity, and independence, and are intended to help pianists improve their overall technique and playing ability. While some contemporary musicians and teachers have criticized the exercises as being overly repetitive and not particularly musical, they remain a popular and widely-used resource for many piano students and teachers.

Besides his success as a composer and educator, Hanon is also remembered for his contributions to the development of the piano itself. Along with other pioneers of piano design including Sebastian Erard and Henri Herz, Hanon was instrumental in developing and refining the modern piano's action and keyboard layout.

Overall, Charles-Louis Hanon was an influential composer and music educator whose works continue to be studied and performed today. His legacy as a pioneer of piano technique and design endures, and his contributions to the world of music continue to be appreciated and celebrated by musicians and music lovers alike.