Yannick Thépault & Denis Cuniot present "Universel Klezmer - Klezmer Aolam"
The duo Yannick Thépault and Denis Cuniot will present their new album "Universel Klezmer - Klezmer Aolam" on the stage of the Rendez-vous d'Ailleurs, from November 19 to 22, 2026.
Les Rendez-Vous d'Ailleurs (Paris 20th)
About
The duo Yannick Thépault and Denis Cuniot will release their new album "Universel Klezmer - Klezmer Aolam" on Friday, November 6, 2026 (CD and digital) via Buda Musique / Socadisc.
Line-up:
- Yannick Thépault: clarinet, compositions
- Denis Cuniot: piano
"This album was born from the desire, shared with my friend Denis Cuniot, to interpret great composers, some of whom are non-Jewish, who have used traditional Hebrew melodies.
The clarinet, with its infinite possibilities for nuance, its wide range, and its timbre sometimes close to the voice, gives a face to the melody. We sought to translate the meaning of the texts through musical interpretation. The flower takes shape through its scent and our imagination.
The interpretation of Hasidic music is not the same in the United States of America and in Europe. On the American continent, performers favor the festive, urban side, undoubtedly linked to the influence of jazz. On the Old Continent, marked by its history, one goes from laughter to tears. Shostakovich said of Jewish music: "it is an ocean of tears with a burst of laughter in the middle".
The pieces we present are arrangements and free adaptations of the original scores. I kept the harmonic and rhythmic base and reinterpreted the melodies."
Yannick Thépault
Our take on this event
Prepare for an evocative journey as a piano and clarinet duo reimagines the soulful depth of traditional melodies. This intimate performance balances melancholic beauty with vibrant energy, capturing that unique spirit where sorrow and joy collide.
On Thursday, November 19, 2026, clarinetist Yannick Thépault and pianist Denis Cuniot take the stage at Les Rendez-Vous d'Ailleurs in the 20th arrondissement to present their new project, "Universel Klezmer - Klezmer Aolam." Running from 19:00 to 20:00, this one-hour concert features original arrangements of traditional Hebrew melodies and Hasidic music. By blending technical precision with the emotional depth typical of European interpretations of this repertoire, the duo bridges the gap between joy and sorrow. Tickets for this intimate performance are available, with prices ranging from 12.95 to 19.5 euros.
Les Rendez-Vous d'Ailleurs host a special musical performance on November 19, 2026, featuring the collaboration between clarinetist and composer Yannick Thépault and pianist Denis Cuniot. The event showcases the duo's latest work, "Universel Klezmer - Klezmer Aolam," during a one-hour set starting at 19:00 and concluding at 20:00. This project explores the essence of Hebrew traditional music through a distinctive European perspective.
The performance consists of free adaptations of original scores. Yannick Thépault has reimagined the melodies while maintaining their rhythmic and harmonic foundations, allowing the clarinet to mimic the nuances of the human voice. This approach captures the complex duality often associated with this genre—a blend of laughter and tears—distinct from the more jazz-influenced, upbeat styles found in American performances.
Tickets for this event in the 20th arrondissement are available for purchase at prices between 12.95 and 19.5 euros. This concert serves as the live debut of a project born from the musicians' shared desire to reinterpret works by both Jewish and non-Jewish composers who have drawn inspiration from traditional Hebrew themes.
