https://youtu.be/sasqnk33qps

The festival was really beautifully organized. I think it has been one of the best experiences of my career so far. Not only because of the quality of the instrument I played and the fantastic venue, but especially because of the warmth and hospitality of the entire festival team, from Fabrice and Zoe to every single volunteer I met.

Un Piano Sous les Arbres really feels like a big family, and I’m very happy to have been part of it for a few days. I enjoyed myself so much that I actually changed my plans and decided to stay an extra night yesterday to attend Charlie Winston’s concert instead of returning to Marseille!

It was also wonderful to see the different venues and stages, all concentrated within the same space, with such a rich and diverse programme. I think it’s especially beautiful that the audience can experience the piano through so many different genres, from classical music, in our case, to singer-songwriters, jazz, and much more. I also made friends with several people from the audience and stayed in touch with them after the concerts: I even met a family originally from my own town in Sicily, and we may actually be distant relatives! 

I also really appreciated having plenty of time for rehearsals, both for my solo recital and the duet recital. The team was always incredibly flexible and accommodating, doing their best to meet us and support us with any needs or requests we had. And I got along extremely well with Max: I’m very happy we had the chance to play together!! It was a wonderful experience, and we had a lot of fun! I think the format of having both solo recitals followed by the duet recital worked really well, and it would be great to repeat it in the future!

Overall, it was a truly fantastic experience from every point of view. Thank you again for everything! I’m leaving today for Greece, where I’ll be performing next week, followed by concerts in Sicily and then New York. I can’t wait!

Alessio Masi

Pianist & Composer 

info@alessiomasi.com. http://alessiomasi.com

Un piano sous les arbres was my debut international recital and I couldn’t have wished for a better experience. It was set in the most stunning park, and was meticulously organised. Zoe and Fabrice made us feel at home immediately, giving us ample time to rehearse and enjoy the event.

Performing with Alessio was an absolute joy. Our interpretive visions diverged more than we had imagined on our phone calls, which sparked some wonderful discussions. We realised that we prioritised different musical elements, whether sonic clarity or gesture. Instantly, this told us how to listen to each other more effectively. I learned so much from Alessio, both musically and about the wider artistic world.

The audience was wonderfully receptive. Even the lesser-known pieces on the program, such as the Messiaen and Ligeti, were welcomed by all. The Mozart garnered a particularly enthusiastic response: thank you, Leslie!

It seemed that a huge number of Lunel residents attend the festival: there was sense of community which we felt part of. It was very special speaking to audience members with the same passion for music, many of whom we saw again throughout the festival, as well as the organisers, volunteers, and fellow artists. I particularly enjoyed Charlie Wood’s late-night jazz recital on the final evening: he is quite something!

The hotel was also fantastic. The staff were very generous in providing a huge welcome dinner, past the official closing time.

I want to personally thank everyone: the Artistic Directors for selecting me, Sarah for her ongoing support, and of course, the festival organisers. Un piano sous les arbres was a beautiful experience, and one I will never forget.

Max Walsh

Alessio Masi: Duet Recital

Mozart: Sonata in F major K. 497
Poulenc: Sonata for Piano 4 hands
Ligeti: Five Pieces for Piano 4 hands
Liszt: Prometheus (arr. Liszt)

Alessio Masi: Solo recital

Frédéric Chopin — Nocturne in G minor, Op. 37 No. 1
Frédéric Chopin — Nocturne in G minor, Op. 15 No. 3
Franz Schubert — Piano Sonata No.19 in C minor, D. 958
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Menuetto: Allegro
IV. Allegro

Maurice Ravel — Valses nobles et sentimentales
Modéré — très franc
Assez lent — avec une expression intense
Modéré
Assez animé
Presque lent — dans un sentiment intime
Vif
Moins vif
Épilogue: Lent

Franz Liszt — Invocation from Harmonies poétiques et religieuses1 di 14

Max Walsh solo programme

A. Scriabin: Piano Sonata No. 5, Op. 53

L. van Beethoven: Six Bagatelles, Op. 126
I. Andante con moto (Cantabile e compiacevole)
II. Allegro
III. Andante (Cantabile e grazioso)
IV. Presto
V. Quasi allegretto
VI. Presto — Andante amabile e con moto

F. Liszt: Bénédiction de Dieu dans la solitude, S. 173/3

M. Ravel: Pavane pour une infante défunte, M. 19

M. Ravel: Jeux d’eau, M. 30

O. Messiaen: Préludes pour piano, No. 1 “La colombe”

O. Messiaen: Le baiser de l’Enfant-Jésus from Vingt Regards sur l’Enfant-Jésus [11’]

Liszt at his most profound… A meditation on solitude and beauty.F. Liszt: Bénédiction de Dieu dans la solitude, S. 173/3

Parc de l’Orangerie, Lunel-Viel, France. Un piano sous les arbres

A quiet moment of reflection, a memory of what once was…M. Ravel: Pavane pour une infante défunte, M. 19

Parc de l’Orangerie, Lunel-Viel, France Un piano sous les arbres

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FvOVSKSTke97_isYOu2uhUJN63VqndH8