“Great energy, brilliant technique, and unassailable artistry” and “A musician with fearless, flawless fingers” are two of the many accolades pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet has garnered over his 30-year career. His repertoire ranges from Beethoven through Liszt and Gershwin, to contemporary composers Qigang Chen and James MacMillan.
In 2019, Mr. Thibaudet renews many longstanding musical partnerships: touring a program of Schumann, Fauré, Debussy, and Enescu with Midori, touring Europe with Lisa Batiashvili and Gautier Capuçon, and performing chamber music with brothers Renaud and Gautier Capuçon. With the Cleveland Orchestra and Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Thibaudet will play James MacMillan’s Piano Concerto No. 3.
Mr. Thibaudet began the season performing Messiaen’s Turangalîla-Symphonie with Marin Alsop and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, then with Susanna Mälkki and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. With Kent Nagano and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, he will tour Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 5 in Germany.
His recording catalog has received two Grammy nominations, among other awards, and reflects his breadth of interpretive style. Recordings include Bernstein’s Age of Anxiety and Gershwin, featuring a big jazz band orchestration of Rhapsody in Blue, with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Marin Alsop; a boxed set of Erik Satie’s complete solo piano music and jazz albums; Reflections on Duke: Jean-Yves Thibaudet Plays the Music of Duke Ellington; and Conversations with Bill Evans.
Mr. Thibaudet’s film work includes recording scores for the films Atonement, Pride and Prejudice, and Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close.
Mr. Thibaudet was born in Lyon, France, where he began his piano studies at age five and made his first public appearance at age seven. At twelve, he entered the Paris Conservatory to study with Aldo Ciccolini. Among his numerous commendations is the Victoire d’Honneur, a lifetime career achievement award and the highest honor given by France’s Victoires de la Musique. In 2010 the Hollywood Bowl honored Mr. Thibaudet for his musical achievements by inducting him into its Hall of Fame. Previously a Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, he was awarded the title Officier by the French Ministry of Culture in 2012.