Photo : Marge design
Crescendo
Forget the stuffy concert hall atmosphere, as these percussionists turn classical repertoire into a high-energy performance full of wit and wonder. Watch as standard musical scores give way to rhythmic acrobatics, physical comedy, and unexpected sounds that defy traditional boundaries. It is a brilliant, family-friendly display that proves classical music can be just as mischievous as it is masterfully played.
Théâtre du Châtelet (Paris 1st)
About
The Théâtre du Châtelet presents Crescendo on Sunday, March 7, 2027, a musical performance by the Quatuor Beat percussion ensemble. Designed for audiences from 5 years old, this show blends classical repertoire with humor, dance, and innovative staging. From baroque pieces to contemporary minimalist works, the musicians use instruments like the marimba and vibraphone to create an immersive experience. The event is accessible to blind or visually impaired attendees and lasts from 16:00 to 17:00. Tickets for this artistic exploration range from 10 to 18 euros, offering a unique way to discover the evolution of sound.
Crescendo (Italian for “growing”). 1. A dynamic marking that indicates a gradual increase in sound intensity, for example from piano (p) to fortissimo (ff), and which can apply to a few notes or a large number of measures (the entire work in the case of Ravel's Boléro).
Marc Vignal,Regulars at the Théâtre du Châtelet, the percussionists of the Quatuor Beat present a creation in which they revisit the repertoire of classical music, from yesterday to today. At first, everything begins by the book. It looks like a concert, with its customs and manners, but little by little things get carried away, turning into a real show where sound, movement, and light mingle (always with a great sense of humor). Arranged, adapted, or composed by the quartet's musicians, the scores span a large part of music history, from Baroque to today’s works, through Classical, repetitive, and minimalist music. Marimba, vibraphone, glockenspiel, bass drum, and cymbals are the main instruments of this show, where the musicians also play with their bodies. A way to increase—did you say crescendo?—the concert into a show for young and old, where everything is a pretext for making sound: hitting, rubbing, clashing, dancing…
And the clown Colette Gomette (aka Hélène Gustin) has put her nose into this business, accompanying the quartet musicians in the staging: while the percussion is at the service of a poetic approach to music, expect a festive, inventive, and participatory show!
Works by Carl Philip Emmanuel Bach, Joseph-Nicolas-Pancrace Royer, Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Guillaume Connesson, Quatuor Beat, etc.
Ages 5 and up
Our take on this event
On March 7, 2027, the Quatuor Beat takes over the Théâtre du Châtelet for a one-hour show, Crescendo. Running from 16:00 to 17:00, the performance reimagines classical music history, featuring pieces by Philip Glass, Steve Reich, and Guillaume Connesson. What begins as a formal concert evolves into an energetic display where the musicians incorporate body percussion, lighting, and comedy to push the boundaries of traditional performance.
With stage direction by clown Colette Gomette, the group creates an inventive and participatory atmosphere using a variety of percussion instruments. This production is suitable for children aged 5 and up and provides specific accessibility features for blind or visually impaired guests. Tickets are priced between 10 and 18 euros.
