The annual Piano aux Jacobins, or French Piano Festival, has been acclaimed as one of the best festivals of its kind in Europe. In 2005 and 2006, the festival began spread to Beijing and Shanghai, and this year three pianists will once again hold concerts in the two cities.
The trio includes jazz pianist Jacky Terrason (below left). The 37-year-old's repertoire spans ageless standards like Autumn Leaves and My Funny Valentine, exotic rarities like Sous le Ciel de Paris, or Bill Lee's Mo Better Blues from filmmaker Spike Lee's movie of the same name. Terrason has performed at some of the world's most prestigious festivals and halls. The other two artists are David Fray (right) and Dana Ciocarlie (below right). Fray won the Second Grand Prize in 2004, and a prize for the best interpretation of a Canadian work at the International Contest in Montreal.
Ciocarlie performs everything from Bach to today's composers, some of who dedicated specific compositions to her. She also won numerous prizes in many competitions. Her maturity, the simplicity of her tone, and her natural expression caught the attention of the monthly magazine Le Monde de la Musique, who described her as a promising young artist who
should soon claim top billing.
Chen Nan
30, 60 yuan or 80, 150 yuan for 3 nights. 7:30pm, Jun 8 (Jacky Terrasson Piano Recital); Jun 9 (David Fray); Jun 10 (Dana Ciocarlie). Forbidden City Concert Hall, in Zhongshan Park, to the northwest of Tian'anmen Square. 6417-7845. 中山音乐堂
(China Daily 05/30/2007 page12)
