Events

Debussy Suite bergamasque
Liszt Hymne de la nuit, S.173a/1
Liszt Schlaflos! Frage und Antwort, S203
Liszt En rêve (Nocturne)
Debussy La plus que lente, L. 121
Liszt Valse-Impromptu, S.213
Massenet Valse folle
Interval
Debussy D’un cahier d’esquisses
Debussy Arabesque No. 2
Massenet Papillons Blancs
Debussy Masques
Liszt Toccata
Massenet Toccata for piano
Debussy Pour le piano

French pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet has a stellar international career and a reputation as one of the most engaging live performers of his generation. Having finally completed an acclaimed eleven volume recording of all Haydn’s sonatas for piano, he is now back with a period he knows well.

Debussy is the star of his programme. Opening with Suite bergamasque, with the lovely ‘Claire de lune’ third movement, it ends with the suite ‘Pour le piano’, composed earlier and marking a point when Debussy decided to concentrate on piano composition rather than orchestral work.

Alongside Debussy, Jean-Efflam sets Massenet and Liszt. The first, a successful composer of fashionable opera, generally considered a traditional 19th century romantic; the second a rule-breaker par excellence who prepared the ground for Debussy and the modernists who followed.

Altogether, a fascinating programme, calling for much virtuosity. We welcome Jean-Efflam most warmly to the SJE Arts International Piano Series.