– Jean-Phillipe Collard – In Recital at France Musique Studio 104, Maison de la Radio, Paris – March 12, 2016 – Radio France Musique –

If there was a concert which would constitute as therapeutic, cathartic, energizing, uplifting and the equivalent of a feast of comfort food, it would be this recital by the legendary French pianist Jean-Philippe Collard. Recorded at France Musique’s Studio 104 at the Maison de la Radio in Paris, this past March, Jean-Phillipe Collard delivers a spellbinding adventure into the heady world of French piano Music, and the 96 minutes fairly speeds by.

Collard is one of the living giants of the French keyboard – his many recordings have been critically acclaimed and his concerts are highlight of any season.

What I really like about this particular concert setting is how intimate it feels – there is a warmth which radiates and is perfectly captured by the Radio France engineers (who I am a huge fan of anyway). It’s not a massive audience and the hall isn’t cavernous; it feels like a get-together of friends to listen to some eloquent music making.

Here is a rundown as to what is on the player:

Concert donné le 12 mars 2016 zu Studio 104 de la Maison de la Radio, à Paris.

Gabriel Fauré
Nocturnes pour piano n°4 en mi bémol Maj. op.36
Nocturnes pour piano n°6 en ré bémol Maj. op.63

Albert Roussel
Sonatine pour piano op.16

Maurice Ravel
Miroirs pour piano :
Oiseaux tristes
Alborada del gracioso

Claude Debussy
Préludes pour piano (Livre I)

Bis :
Francis Poulenc
Pastourelle Fp45

Gabriel Fauré
Requiem (extr.) : In Paradisum, transcription pour piano d’Emile Naounoff

Jean-Philippe Collard, piano

This is truly an Anti-Road Rage Wednesday concert – actually, it’s apt for every day. And definitely constitutes repeated playings. Lovely concert, lovely playing – it really doesn’t get much better than this.

Enjoy,