The 2011 season will be so exciting! First of all I am proud to announce the recording of my first solo CD: an album planned since months, about which I thought a lot. For my first album, true to myself, I decided to promote and trust the young American composer Michael Mranti who particularly interested me. I have therefore commissioned a work for solo piano, written to fit among the other works of the program.

This album is built like a journey through the night of three leading composers of the twentieth century and a young composer of our time. The four groups of works reflect and revisit the nocturnal imagery: reassuring or terrifying illuminations (lightning, candles, moonlight), sound and olfactory perceptions of twilight (the forest, the birds at night) and spectral presences (Scarbo, Ondine) enrich the magical world of darkness which Messiaen, Carter, Mranti and Ravel knew perfectly how to set to music, each in a very different and personal way.

Another project close to my heart: the launch of a festival dedicated to keyboard instruments. Initiated in 2010, this project should take place at the end of spring 2012 in France. I was lucky enough to meet last year highly motivated people ready to invest time in this great project and put it on track, as well as magnificent performers supporting the operation and enriching our programming. I sincerely hope, despite this is pretty bad times for cultural funding, the festival will find motivated partners to let us provide the best possible conditions for the audience and the performers.

Last but not least, I always wanted to write a book about my experience as a pianist and music in general. You already know that I like sharing my thoughts and views, but for a long time now, I have been having a true desire to compile and complete several of my texts still unpublished in a form more substantial than the “simple” article. So I took my courage in both hands and the writing started in 2010 is on track. That process will continue throughout 2011 and I hope to publish this book in conjunction with my first album.

Hard work, great projects, 2011 will really be a great year!

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Heinrich Neuhaus (Russian of German origin) was a famous pianist and pedagogue. He studied in Vienna under Leopold Godowsky, then he went back to Russia in 1913 where he taught in many conservatories before running his own class in Moscow from 1923 until his death in 1964. There studied the most brilliant pianists of the XXth century, among them were Gilels, Richter, Virsaladze, Zak, Lupu, Krainev, Naumov… Piano genius, he devoted his life to teaching.

His book, “The art of piano playing”, is a series of comments based on his experience, a bit like his diary as a professor. With precise examples as well as general principles or anecdotes about his pupils, Neuhaus unveils what is according to him the art of piano playing.

Even if we do not immediately understand everything, reading this work is an advantage on the long way to master the piano. I like to re-read it every two or three years, it brings my mind back to reality. I recommend you to read it and wish you to get the best of it!

For those who already read it, how has this book helped you?

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