An introduction to Jean-Yves Thibaudet, the trendy French pianist who’ll be performing Gershwin on the 2023 BBC Proms.

Who’s Jean-Yves Thibaudet?

Jean-Yves Thibaudet is a world-renowned pianist, initially from France however primarily based immediately in Los Angeles, US. Although well-known to many for his performances and recordings of French music, his repertoire embraces a variety of composers, not least from his adopted dwelling nation.

How previous is Jean-Yves Thibaudet?

Thibaudet was born on 7 September 1961.

And the place was he born?

He was born in Lyon. His dad and mom had been eager musicians and on the age of 5 he entered the Conservatoire de Lyon to check the piano. He later moved north to check on the Paris Conservatoire, the place his lecturers included the well-known live performance pianist Aldo Ciccolini.

When did he make his breakthrough?

In 1981, Thibaudet gained the Younger Live performance Artists Auditions in New York, a prestigious competitors whose different well-known winners embody pianists Murray Perahia and Emanuel Ax, violinist Pinchas Zukerman and soprano Daybreak Upshaw. This success notably helped to spice up his profession within the US.

When did Thibaudet first play on the BBC Proms?

He first appeared on the BBC Proms in August 1992, taking part in Rachmaninov’s Third Piano Concerto with the BBC Nationwide Orchestra of Wales and conductor Tadaaki Otaka. He has gone on to play on the competition on an extra 14 events, together with the Final Night time of the Proms in 1998.

Does he play solely classical music?

Certainly not. His recordings embody homages to 2 jazz greats in Reflections on Duke, that includes the music of Duke Ellington, and Conversations with Invoice Evans. He additionally writes his personal preparations of music not initially composed for the piano, similar to might be heard on his Aria: Opera With out Phrases recording of 2007.

What does Jean-Yves Thibaudet put on on stage?

In 2002, Vivienne Westwood requested him if she might design an outfit for him to carry out in on the BBC Proms, and the 2 struck up a partnership.

‘Vivienne is likely one of the individuals in my life who has actually made an impression,’ he advised BBC Music Journal’s Jeremy Pound in 2010. ‘She is aware of that for my concert events she will’t be too loopy – so it all the time has a basic really feel however with a twist, whether or not it’s within the materials, within the minimize or in the way in which she prepares it. It’s fascinating, and I really feel very privileged that we work collectively.’

And what automotive does he drive?

In addition to chopping a splash in his Vivienne Westwood fits, Jean-Yves Thibaudet seems to be equally fashionable behind the wheel. His selection of motor is a McLaren 720S, full with the numberplate PIANO JY.

Jean-Yves Thibaudet: three nice recordings

Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue; Piano Concerto in F and so on.

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra/Marin Alsop
Decca 478 2189

From our overview: ‘Clarinet and trumpet actually set Rhapsody in Blue off in superb type… However one of the best is Thibaudet’s diamond-bright taking part in, relaxed and joyful in a method that brushes vexed questions of authenticity apart.’