Photo : Vanessa Wagner © Lyodoh Kaneko
Piano Celebration
Five pianos take over the stage to blend legendary classical works with bold new contemporary creations. This unique performance pairs iconic keyboard masters with the most promising emerging talents of our time. Expect a night of pure musical magic that balances intimate emotion with virtuosic brilliance.
Philharmonie de Paris (Paris 19th)
About
The Fête du piano arrives at the Philharmonie de Paris on Sunday, April 11, 2027, from 15:00 to 17:00. Open to audiences aged 12 and up, this paid event brings together renowned soloists and emerging musicians supported by the Alexandre Tharaud Foundation. The concert features a diverse repertoire, including the premiere of Oscar Strasnoy’s Twenty-Four Preludes alongside masterworks by Debussy, Rachmaninoff, Rossini, and Saint-Saëns. Attendees will experience a unique musical dialogue between established virtuosos like Alexandre Tharaud and Vanessa Wagner and the rising talents of the next generation.
It is in memory of his difficult early years as a musician, marked by a shortage of concerts and outside support, that Alexandre Tharaud decided to set up his foundation. As he points out, "being a soloist demands everything: the body, the mind, and a solid support system". His goal? To accompany young musicians, both artistically and humanly, thanks to concrete aid. Three highly gifted artists from his foundation thus join two seasoned soloists, Vanessa Wagner and Alexandre Tharaud himself, for a great piano celebration. The premiere of Twenty-Four Preludes by Oscar Strasnoy – who follows in the footsteps of Chopin and Scriabin – blends with famous or rediscoverable pages by Debussy, Rachmaninoff, Rossini, and Saint-Saëns.
Cast
Alexandre Tharaud , piano
Vanessa Wagner , piano
Hyunji Kim , piano
Nadja Dornik , piano
Théotime Gillot , piano
musicians from the Alexandre Tharaud Foundation
Our take on this event
The Philharmonie de Paris hosts an exceptional piano celebration on Sunday, April 11, 2027. From 15:00 to 17:00, Alexandre Tharaud and Vanessa Wagner perform alongside Hyunji Kim, Nadja Dornik, and Théotime Gillot—all talented pianists representing the Alexandre Tharaud Foundation. The foundation was established to provide concrete support and guidance to young soloists navigating the challenging realities of a musical career, reflecting Tharaud’s own commitment to fostering artistic growth.
The concert program offers a compelling mix of classic and contemporary music. Central to the afternoon is the premiere of Oscar Strasnoy’s Twenty-Four Preludes, which draws inspiration from the legacies of Chopin and Scriabine. These performances are complemented by a selection of pieces by Debussy, Rachmaninoff, Rossini, and Saint-Saëns. This paid event is suitable for guests aged 12 and above, providing an ideal setting to witness a collaborative performance between mentors and protégés in one of the city's finest concert halls.
