Emmanuel Despax Thursday 17 December 2009 7pm for 7.30pm, Alliance Française de Sydney 257 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW 2000


French pianist Emmanuel Despax is one of the most sought after rising stars of his generation. He has performed widely in Europe, New Zealand and South America. Emmanuel began his piano studies at the age of 9 before passing the entrance exam to the Conservatoire Darius Milhaud in Aix-en-Provence and studying with Michel Bourdoncle and Florence Belraouti. From the age of 13 he continued his studies in the UK where he gained a place at the Yehudi Menuhin School, studying with Ruth Nye, one of Claudio Arrau’s finest students. During his five years at the prestigious Menuhin School, Emmanuel was given numerous opportunities to appear in concerts, both as a soloist and as a chamber musician, most notably in London, at the Royal Festival Hall, St. John's Smith Square and Wigmore Hall.
 
Since graduating from the Royal College of Music with first class honours in 2006, Emmanuel’s international performing career has gone from strength to strength. In France he has appeared at Le Festival International de Musique à la Cour at Solliès-Pont, Le Château de Lourmarin and a gala concert at La Roque d’Anthéron. Elsewhere in Europe he has given recitals at the Fazioli Auditorium in Italy, the Gasteig Blackbox in Munich, the Palais des Beaux Arts in Belgium, as well as in Holland, Mallorca and Slovenia.

In November 2009, Emmanuel received First Place in the prestigious Dudley International Piano Competition in England. For the finale he performed the Brahms Concerto Number one with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. 

The Alliance Française de Sydney is delighted to welcome Emmanuel Despax to perform in the recently opened, Harry Seidler designed Alliance Française Centre on Thursday 17 December 2009. 


A glass of wine is offered on arrival

EVENT FULLY BOOKED

Program:

2 Chorale-preludes

Bach-Hess
Jesu Bleibet meine Freude in G major (from Cantata BWV 147)

Bach-Busoni
"Ich ruf' zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ"  BWV 639 in F minor

Haydn
Sonata in B minor H.XVI/32
I Allegro moderato
II Menuet - Trio
III Finale - Presto

Liszt
Après Une Lecture Du Dante:Fantasia quasi Sonata

Entracte/ Interval

Chopin
Barcarolle in F# major op. 60

Ravel
Gaspard de la Nuit
I Ondine
II Le Gibet
III Scarbo