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Thibaudet searches for new meaning in music
By Joyce Zhang |
May 20, 2012, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
CLAUDE Debussy's music will be heard again in Shanghai, this time by one of the composer's most popular interpreters, French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet.
The French pianist will present his Debussy recital on June 12 to mark the 150th anniversary of the composer's birth. The following day, Thibaudet will cooperate with the Shanghai Quartet for an ensemble concert.
Debussy is known for incorporating the ideas of impressionist art and symbolist poetry into music, using melodies based on the whole-tone scale and delicate harmonies that exploit overtones.
This "French style" attracted Thibaudet.
"French music is flexible, free and non-mechanical, filled with changeable color and hazy picturing," Thibaudet says. "Now that I am older and have more life experience, I can always get different touches and form different understandings about the music."
With such a large body of songs to choose from, Thibaudet says he struggled at first to select the right Debussy pieces for his Shanghai concert. In the end, he has selected "Preludes, Deuxieme Livre/Book 2," "Suite Bergamasque," "Estampes" and "L'Isle Joyeuse," among others, in an effort to convey the many characteristics of Debussy's work.
Thibaudet, who was born in Lyon, still remembers the first Debussy piece he learned when he was seven years old. It was a piece in "Estampes" that attracted him in the first place. "Debussy is a great composer, who poses great influence on classical and piano music," Thibaudet says. "Apart from the French tradition, Debussy was also attracted to Eastern tradition, culture and art, which greatly influenced his later works. Traces of traditional Eastern music can be easily found in 'Estampes,' which I believe will resonate among Chinese fans."
Over his career, Thibaudet has followed many different piano teachers, opening doors to different interpretations of music and contributing to his interest in various styles.
"There are many child stars in France; and from a young age people always tell you that you are suitable for Debussy or Ravel," he says. "I was against that, not because I didn't like these musicians, but that I didn't want to be limited within the works of just a few composers."
Thibaudet believes that playing music that touches your soul is crucial for a top musician as it is the only way to deliver a unique message to the audience.
"Nobody can play all the pieces, though it may be achievable technically, but it is not recommended for a performance," says Thibaudet. "When you play a piece for the audience, you should love and admire the piece yourself in the first place. That's why we need so many different musicians. Selection is necessary and sometimes important."
Apart from gaining various awards in classic music including the Echo award, the Diapason d'Or Award, Gramophone Award and Edison Award, Thibaudet is also interested in working with artists in fashion and film. He wore a Vivian Westwood design on stage and he played the music for the film "Atonement." He composed the score for the film "Pride and Prejudice."
He abhores the term cross-over artist. According to Thibaudet, there are no boundaries in music. He says people can enjoy a good jazz record and follow it up with Beethoven.
Jean-Yves Thibaudet Piano Recital
Date: June 12, 7:30pm
Tickets: 80-880 yuan
Jean-Yves Thibaudet and Shanghai Quartet
Date: June 13, 7:30pm
Tickets: 80-100 yuan
Venue: Shanghai Oriental Art Center
Address: 425 Dingxiang Rd
Tel: 6217-2426, 6217-3055
The French pianist will present his Debussy recital on June 12 to mark the 150th anniversary of the composer's birth. The following day, Thibaudet will cooperate with the Shanghai Quartet for an ensemble concert.
Debussy is known for incorporating the ideas of impressionist art and symbolist poetry into music, using melodies based on the whole-tone scale and delicate harmonies that exploit overtones.
This "French style" attracted Thibaudet.
"French music is flexible, free and non-mechanical, filled with changeable color and hazy picturing," Thibaudet says. "Now that I am older and have more life experience, I can always get different touches and form different understandings about the music."
With such a large body of songs to choose from, Thibaudet says he struggled at first to select the right Debussy pieces for his Shanghai concert. In the end, he has selected "Preludes, Deuxieme Livre/Book 2," "Suite Bergamasque," "Estampes" and "L'Isle Joyeuse," among others, in an effort to convey the many characteristics of Debussy's work.
Thibaudet, who was born in Lyon, still remembers the first Debussy piece he learned when he was seven years old. It was a piece in "Estampes" that attracted him in the first place. "Debussy is a great composer, who poses great influence on classical and piano music," Thibaudet says. "Apart from the French tradition, Debussy was also attracted to Eastern tradition, culture and art, which greatly influenced his later works. Traces of traditional Eastern music can be easily found in 'Estampes,' which I believe will resonate among Chinese fans."
Over his career, Thibaudet has followed many different piano teachers, opening doors to different interpretations of music and contributing to his interest in various styles.
"There are many child stars in France; and from a young age people always tell you that you are suitable for Debussy or Ravel," he says. "I was against that, not because I didn't like these musicians, but that I didn't want to be limited within the works of just a few composers."
Thibaudet believes that playing music that touches your soul is crucial for a top musician as it is the only way to deliver a unique message to the audience.
"Nobody can play all the pieces, though it may be achievable technically, but it is not recommended for a performance," says Thibaudet. "When you play a piece for the audience, you should love and admire the piece yourself in the first place. That's why we need so many different musicians. Selection is necessary and sometimes important."
Apart from gaining various awards in classic music including the Echo award, the Diapason d'Or Award, Gramophone Award and Edison Award, Thibaudet is also interested in working with artists in fashion and film. He wore a Vivian Westwood design on stage and he played the music for the film "Atonement." He composed the score for the film "Pride and Prejudice."
He abhores the term cross-over artist. According to Thibaudet, there are no boundaries in music. He says people can enjoy a good jazz record and follow it up with Beethoven.
Jean-Yves Thibaudet Piano Recital
Date: June 12, 7:30pm
Tickets: 80-880 yuan
Jean-Yves Thibaudet and Shanghai Quartet
Date: June 13, 7:30pm
Tickets: 80-100 yuan
Venue: Shanghai Oriental Art Center
Address: 425 Dingxiang Rd
Tel: 6217-2426, 6217-3055
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