French-American Piano Society

in partnership with

LA MAISON FRANCAISE

THE EMBASSY OF FRANCE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

and

SOFITEL WASHINGTON

present

Emile Naoumoff, Piano

Performing on the LVMH Piano

2024 Spring Recital

Centennial celebration of the international legacy of Gabriel Fauré (1845–1924)

WEDNESDAY APRIL 9, 2024 AT 7:30 PM

LA MAISON FRANCAISE

EMBASSY OF FRANCE, WASHINGTON DC

The French-American Piano Society is a non-profit organization designed to promote cultural exchange, education, and networking between France and the United States through French pianists and music. Founded in 2014 by Dr. Mathieu Petitjean, the French-American Piano Society provides scholarships for aspiring young French pianists to attend competitions and festivals in the United States, presents world-renowned artists in recitals, and endeavors to promote the activities of French pianists in America and American pianists dedicated to French piano music.

Professor on the artist piano faculty of the Jacobs School, Emile Naoumoff has been likened to both Horowitz and Rubinstein, displaying, as one critic remarked, the fire of the former and the poetry of the latter.  A child prodigy, he took up piano at 5 and composition at 6, studying for a decade with the great Nadia Boulanger and the distinguished musicians in her circle while concurrently pursuing studies at the Paris Conservatoire, where he was later appointed professor. Naoumoff has been a featured soloist with many of the world’s premier orchestras, and has collaborated with eminent musicians including Jean-Pierre Rampal, Gerard Souzay, Yo-Yo Ma, Gary Hoffman, Dominique de Williencourt and the Fine Arts Qt.  In recent years he has been a guest at numerous summer festivals, residencies and  international competitions’ juries. He is an avid composer of French melodies, and greatly admired for his mastery in transcribing music for the piano as well as improvising daily on his YouTube channel.

Centennial celebration of the international legacy of Gabriel Fauré (1845–1924)

The title "Centennial Celebration of the International Legacy of Gabriel Fauré (1845–1924)" commemorates the enduring impact and contributions of the renowned French composer Gabriel Fauré on the world of classical music. Born in 1845, Fauré's remarkable career spanned over the late 19th and early 20th centuries, leaving an indelible mark on the musical landscape. As the centennial of his passing in 1924 approaches, the international community gathers to celebrate and reflect on Fauré's profound influence on music and his lasting legacy.

Gabriel Fauré: A Musical Luminary: Gabriel Fauré, a pivotal figure in French music, emerged during the Romantic and Impressionist periods. His compositions are characterized by a unique blend of elegance, lyricism, and harmonic innovation. Fauré held influential positions such as Director of the Paris Conservatoire, leaving an imprint not only as a composer but also as an educator who nurtured the talents of future generations of musicians.

Centennial Celebration: The centennial celebration serves as a tribute to Fauré's enduring significance, drawing attention to his timeless compositions that continue to captivate audiences worldwide. Concerts, recitals, and academic events are organized globally to showcase the breadth and depth of Fauré's oeuvre. These celebrations aim to bring together musicians, scholars, and music enthusiasts to explore, appreciate, and commemorate the rich legacy left behind by this musical luminary.

International Impact: Fauré's influence extends far beyond the borders of France. His compositions, which include chamber music, choral works, and piano pieces, have become staples of classical repertoire worldwide. The international celebration underscores the global reach of Fauré's music, emphasizing how it resonates with diverse audiences and transcends cultural boundaries.

Educational Initiatives: In addition to public performances, the centennial celebration provides an opportunity for educational initiatives. Workshops, lectures, and masterclasses are organized to delve into Fauré's compositional techniques, musical innovations, and the historical context of his works. These activities aim to foster a deeper understanding of Fauré's contributions to the evolution of classical music and inspire future generations of musicians.

Preserving Fauré's Legacy: The centennial celebration also serves as a platform for discussions on the preservation of Fauré's legacy. Archival projects, digitization efforts, and scholarly research contribute to ensuring that Fauré's works remain accessible and appreciated for years to come. By celebrating this milestone, the international community reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding the cultural heritage embodied in Fauré's musical creations.

The "Centennial Celebration of the International Legacy of Gabriel Fauré (1845–1924)" is a tribute to a musical genius whose compositions continue to enchant and inspire. Through performances, education, and preservation efforts, the international community comes together to honor Fauré's enduring impact on classical music, ensuring that his legacy remains vibrant and influential in the years to come.

PROGRAM

Introduction

by Matthieu Cognet, Artistic Director for the French American Piano Society, January 2024

“Celebrating the centennial of Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924) with Émile Naoumoff and Nadia Boulanger”

A pianist, composer and former child prodigy Emile Naoumoff is also the last student of Nadia Boulanger, one of the most prominent and influential musical figures of the twentieth century. A student of Gabriel Fauré, “Mademoiselle” [Nadia Boulanger], who became a close friend to Ravel, Stravinsky and Poulenc, taught many of the leading composers and musicians of the 20th century from Copland to Piazzolla.

This program celebrates Gabriel Fauré’s legacy by featuring Naoumoff’s outstanding and unique solo piano rendition of Fauré’s quintessential Requiem, and reflects on Fauré’s musical impact on the French and international musical spheres. The program also features works by Maurice Ravel, Nadia Boulanger and Émile Naoumoff.

Emile Naoumoff, Piano

Performing on the James J. Sheeran Piano

2024 Spring Recital

"At the tender age of seven, destiny smiled upon me as Mademoiselle Boulanger chose me to be her final disciple. Entering her eighth decade of an illustrious pedagogical journey that had profoundly influenced the foremost composers of the twentieth century, starting with Copland, my early life became a jubilant and inspirational odyssey—a journey not without its daily challenges and demanding trials.

 As a disciple of Fauré in her own youth, Mademoiselle Boulanger became the conduit through which the true aesthetics of his musical language flowed to me directly from the source. Remarkably, she went on to make history by becoming the first woman to conduct the New York Philharmonic in Fauré’s Requiem. Among her esteemed peers from Fauré’s composition class at the Paris Conservatory was none other than the renowned Maurice Ravel.

 In shaping my own musical identity, I carry forward this exclusive French music lineage, a legacy entrusted to me and one that I, in turn, impart to my own students.

 In honor of the centennial year marking Fauré's passing, I am excited to present his Requiem in my own piano transcription, alongside Ravel’s Valses Nobles et Sentimentales, my mentor’s Vers la Vie Nouvelle (Towards the New Life), and my own creation, Valse pour Nadia.

 Fauré remains my musical homeland, and in celebrating his legacy, I echo his timeless melodies with heartfelt reverence—Fauré est mon pays!"

Emile Naoumoff to the French-American-Piano Society. January 2023.

Gabriel Urbain Fauré (1845 - 1924)

Requiem Opus 48 (1887)

Piano transcription by Emile Naoumoff

Introït and Kyrie

Offertorium

Sanctus

Pie Jesu

Agnus Dei

Libera me

In Paradisum

Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)

Valses Nobles et Sentimentales

Modéré - très franc

Assez lent

Modéré

Assez animé

Presque lent

Vif

Moins vif

Épilogue : lent

Nadia Boulanger (1887-1979)

Vers la vie nouvelle (1918)

Emile Naoumoff (1962)

Valse pour Nadia (1996)

We are grateful to our 2024 RECITAL partners:

The LVMH Piano

At its inaugural recital on November 16, 2023, S.E. Laurent Bili, Ambassador of France to the United States of America, in the company of S.E. Philippe Etienne, Former Ambassador of France to the United States of America, Mr. Anish Melwani, Chairman and CEO, LVMH USA and Dr. Mathieu Petitjean, Founder and President, French American Piano Society celebrated the inauguration of the LVMH Piano, under the enchanting fingers of Hélène Tysman.

The French-American Piano Society

recognizes the generous support of LVMH and fifty patrons

who contributed to the acquisition of the

Steinway Concert piano located in this recital hall

In August 2022, a gathering of representatives from the Albertine Cultural Services of the Embassy of France and the French-American Piano Society converged in Washington. Their purpose was to collaborate with Ambassador Philippe Etienne and craft a visionary plan for the renovation of La Maison Franciase's recital hall and cultural program. Buoyed by a decade of success in New York, marked by the acquisition of a Steinway grand piano, the awarding of 17 scholarships to young French pianists, and over 40 memorable recitals, the team aspired to extend this triumph to the heart of Washington. This endeavor, infused with a profound sense of revival after three years of pandemic-induced silence, became a poignant expression of resilience.

The dream that unfolded encompassed the acquisition of another Steinway grand piano and the launch of a four-year cultural program featuring recitals, scholarships, and exchanges. Its essence aimed to elevate and spotlight French pianists and the rich repertoire of French piano music in the United States. United by this ambitious vision, the team coalesced with fervor, raising the required funds in record time.

At the core of this transformative project stood LVMH, a crucial catalyst swiftly joined by Levine Music and fifty passionate patrons who became part of the "88 Keys" program, where each key was sponsored. The success of the fundraising campaign culminated in a jubilant celebration in December 2022, marked by a high-profile recital featuring Maestro Pascal Roger and his accomplished duo partner, Barbara Binet.

Fast forward to May 2023, a pivotal moment unfolded in collaboration with Steinway & Sons. Maestro Jean-Yves Thibaudet and Artistic Director Matthieu Cognet meticulously selected the LVMH piano at the Steinway & Sons Factory in New York. Though the choice among five concert pianos might typically be an intricate decision, in this case, it evolved into a "love at first sight" narrative. The piano, distinguished within a mere 30 minutes, was then showcased through an impromptu recital, revealing its delicate, rich, and colorful sonic palette.

The culmination of this journey arrived in June 2023 when the LVMH piano found its new home at the Embassy of France. A momentous inauguration followed on November 16, 2023, as pianist Helene Tysman, in a highly attended recital, breathed life into the instrument. This event not only marked the inauguration of the LVMH piano but also the birth of the French-American Piano Society, celebrated in its inaugural recital at the Consulate of France on April 15, 2014, under the enchanting fingers of Helene Tysman.

The French-American Piano Society

recognizes the generous support of LVMH and fifty patrons

who contributed to the acquisition of the

Steinway Concert piano located in this recital hall

herein named in their honor, inaugurated November 16, 2023

The LVMH Piano

Leadership Benefactor

LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton

Founding Donors Circle

$20,000 and above

The Levine Music

$10,000 and above

Dr. Helene Petitjean and Dr. Mathieu Petitjean

$5,000 and above

The Staff of the Embassy of France

Archimed

Mrs. Calvin Cafritz

Doria And Calavino Donati, Tipple And Rose Tea Parlor Princeton

Harald Greve and Janis Sell

$2,000 and above

Anonymous

The Bristol-Myers Squibb Employee Giving Program

Patricia and Philippe Etienne

Rhona Wolfe Friedman, Esq. and Donald J. Friedman, Esq.

Dr. David Kosutic

David M. and Susan S. Thoms

Maggie Hua et Stanislas Vilgrain

$1,000

Anonymous

Gregory Bernstein and Anna Katalkina

Olivier Bogillot

Alexandra de Borchgrave

Larry Chertoff

Louis Dillais

Edwige Dorel-Torgue

Jeannette Abécassis-Elmalem

French-American Chamber of Commerce, Washington D.C.

Stephen and Laure Fuller

Garnier-Thiebaut USA

Tamara Haddad

Marianne J. Hart and Colin R. Hart

Kimberley A. Heatherington

The Hitchcock Hoagland Foundation in honor of Ambassador Phillippe Etienne

Resources USA Inc.

Judy and Peter Blum Kovler Foundation

Jack and Ellette Kozak

Bénédicte and Jean-Philippe Krukowicz

Alexander Wolf Levy

Jodie McLean and Pierre de Lucy

Thais Mark and Sasha Mark, MD

Roxana Nikdjou-van der Mensbrugghe

Farha Mir, MD and Mitra Dowlatshahi, MD

Claire Mittaud | Theodore Pary

Nina Pillsbury

Cedric Sage

Thomas and Deborah Silverstein

Annie Simonian Totah, Founder & President of the Sami and Annie Totah Family Foundation

Michel and Lucie Wormser

Marie Hélène et Daniel Zavala

2023-2028 YOUNG PIANISTS SCHOLARSHIPS

A post-COVID expansion of our successful scholarship program to sponsor (2023 to 2028) 10 talented young French pianists to attend U.S. based piano festivals, competitions and present their Debut Recitals in New York City and Washington D.C.

Code of Conduct

It is the policy of the French-American Piano Society that all attendees of Society hosted recitals, events, and associated activities are expected to exhibit respectful, and ethical behaviors.

Please review our Code of Conduct Policy here.

Report Violations of the Policy here