The pianist Jean-François Heisser will honor the 150th anniversary of the birth of Maurice Ravel

How many times did the pianist Jean-François Heisser participated in the crazy day of Nantes (Loire-Atlantique) which irrigates classical music the capital of the Dukes of Brittany three days a year? He does not remember it anymore, as he seems to have taken a subscription for thirty years. Born in 1950 in Saint-Etienne (Rhône) within a family of musicians, he studied the piano there before joining the Paris Conservatory. With a predilection for Beethoven, Brahms and Chopin, he embarked on a career as a soloist and became one of the most popular chamber music interpreters of his generation, notably with his registration of Bartok Sonatas in 1992. Regularly invited in Festivals, it was at La Roque-d’Anthéron (Bouches-du-Rhône) that he met, in 1995, the artistic director René Martin who has just launched the crazy day and invited him to assert his talent in Nantes . “I like the atmosphere of the city and this public from all generations and all social backgrounds, which contrasts with certain festivals of classical music sometimes elitist,” notes the musician.

The father of the Bolero in the spotlight

The 30th edition of the festival coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the birth of Maurice Ravel, Jean-François Heisser will interpret with the New Aquitaine Chamber Orchestra two works from the Creator of the Creator of Bolero :: My mother l’Oye And Concerto for piano and major ground orchestra. Parts he knows well, since, former student of Vlado Perlemuter (1904-2002) -which was a disciple of the composer -he became the direct depositary of the Ravélian tradition. A rich heritage which he is keen to transmit to the young generations. At the Paris Conservatory first, where he taught from 1986 to 2016; To his son Charles, then, also a pianist who will be present in Nantes. And, finally, to the general public through his records, the last Ravel the alchemist* will be presented in preview at the aficionados of the crazy day!

*Ravel the alchemist, Jean-François Heisser (direction and piano), New Aquitaine chamber orchestra, Mirare Label; € 17.99.