There are some remarkable pianists rather little-known, only their peers and people in the know are aware of them. Quite often because they have spent most of their time teaching or have not opted for an international soloist life. Great masters like Jean Martin, Ventsislav Yankoff, Fou Ts’ong, Pierre Sancan or Jean Hubeau. Or Henri Barda. The French pianist, born in Cairo in 1941, performed in recital, salle Gaveau.
Elisabeth Leonskaja and Beethoven’s last sonatas
Elisabeth Leonskaja was playing Beethoven’s last 3 piano sonatas at the Philharmonie.
As most great Russian pianists, she has a different way to play Beethoven from the “Western” approach of, let’s say, German, Austrian, French, Italian or American pianists. Not better, not less good, just different.
Jean-Claude Casadesus and the Orchestre du Conservatoire
Maestro Jean-Claude Casadesus was conducting the Orchestre du Conservatoire (the orchestra of the students of Paris Music Conservatoire) at the Philharmonie de Paris.
Difficult to say who was the most enthusiastic and passionate between the 81 year old conductor and the young members of the orchestra. As a matter of fact, they seemed to energize one another!
Nicholas Angelich and Renaud Capuçon play Brahms
The great pianist Nicholas Angelich and violinist Renaud Capuçon were playing Brahms Violin & Piano Sonatas at the Philharmonie de Paris.
This is far from being the 1st time they play these works together on stage – and they also have recorded them, as well as the Piano Trios and Quartets.
Sunday morning with Tedi Papavrami, Xavier Phillips and François-Frédéric Guy
Sunday morning concert at the TCE with violinist Tedi Papavrami, cellist Xavier Phillips and pianist François-Frédéric Guy.
I remember the 1st time I saw Tedi Papavrami, who was the first of them I heard in concert: he played a Mozart Violin Concerto under the baton of the tremendous Kurt Sanderling with the wonderful Orchestre de Paris.
Rafał Blechacz in recital at the Philharmonie
Polish pianist Rafał Blechacz gave a recital at the Philharmonie. His programme included 3 composers of different times and works of different moods.
First, JS Bach’s 4 Duos – pieces which are rarely played -, masterworks that Blechacz performed perfectly, giving the music its freshness and natural, with at the same time a complete understanding and respect of their architecture.
Vladimir Jurowski, Piotr Anderszewski and the COE
The Chamber Orchestra of Europe with Vladimir Jurowski conducting and Piotr Anderszewski at the piano gave a splendid concert at the Cité de la Musique.
Jurowski is one of the very best young conductors worldwide, with a deep understanding of scores and a fantastic ability to energize orchestras. In the same way, Anderszewski is one of today’s very best pianists, a master in Bach, Schumann, or his fellow countryman Szymanowski (among others…).
The astounding Belcea Quartet at the TCE
The Belcea Quartet has become one of the world leading string quartets over the last 20 years. No way I would have missed their concert at the TCE!
Benjamin Alard: JS Bach and Italy
The Théâtre de la Ville, being currently closed for major works, has organized its season with the partnership of other venues. Benjamin Alard was giving a harpsichord recital at the CRRP, on the theme of JS Bach and Italy.
The concert of Benjamin Alard, young and talented harpsichordist and organist, co-tenured at Saint-Louis-en-l’Île Church in Paris, was part of the series “Music & words” ; so he provided some explanations and anecdotes to the audience.
Bernard Haitink conducts the ONF in French music
The great Dutch maestro Bernard Haitink was in Paris to give a concert in the Auditorium de Radio France. He was conducting – with expert hands – the ONF and its Choir in a beautiful and off the beaten path programme.
They played 2 works by French composers, first Poulenc’s Gloria, with soprano Patricia Petibon as soloist, then the complete version of Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé.