LILLE, june 19, 2025
Pianists Behzod Abduraimov, Florent Boffard, Florian noack, and Bertrand Chamayou illuminated the 22nd lille Piano(s) Festival, offering a captivating journey through the world of classical music.
A Festival of Talent
The festival showcased a range of piano mastery, from Tchaikovsky to Ravel, delighting audiences with diverse performances.
- Behzod Abduraimov’s powerful performance of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1.
- Florent Boffard’s compelling execution of 20th-century works by Boulez and others.
- Florian Noack’s captivating transcriptions, especially his arrangement of Bach’s Concerto for four clavecins.
- Bertrand Chamayou’s technical brilliance in Ravel’s compositions.
The Lille Piano(s) Festival provided a platform for pianists to exhibit their skills, with Behzod Abduraimov’s interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s Concerto pour piano n° 1 being a highlight.
Opening Night’s Triumph
Uzbek artist Behzod Abduraimov, a rare presence on French stages, delivered a transcendent performance during the opening concert. Despite the venue’s acoustics, Abduraimov’s powerful projection and controlled delivery of Tchaikovsky’s Concerto pour piano n° 1 captivated the audience.
His performance was characterized by a wealth of textures, subtle moments of abandonment, and perfect taste. Abduraimov’s encore, Liszt’s the bell, further confirmed his precision and sound amplitude. Jean-Claude Casadesus’s direction of the Lille National Orchestra offered discreet support.
Contrasting Performances
In stark contrast, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, under Karl-Heinz Steffens’s vigorous direction, overshadowed nikola meeuwsen. Meeuwsen, the recent winner of the queen Elisabeth competition, performed Chopin’s Concerto N ° 1 with a delicate touch; the end of the Cheerful lacked verve, and the Romance bordered on apathy. The Rondo Final displayed some momentum. it was a different experience.
Recitals and Chamber Music
The festival also featured recitals. Arthur Ancelle and Ludmila Berlinskaïa gave a charming four-hand recital in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.They performed Bizet’s Children’s games,Debussy’s Small suite,and Ravel’s My mother l’Oye. A spirited Hindu dance by Chaminade concluded the recital. The acoustics, however, detracted from the finesse.
Depth and Clarity
Dmytro Choni, third prize winner in the Van Cliburn 2022 competition, showcased his talent on the conservatory stage, particularly in Schumann’s Sonate n° 2. The Ukrainian artist combined breath and depth. His presentation of the works was as clear as his execution.
Florent Boffard’s program included 20th-century works. He played Berg’s sonata with both rigor and commitment, while his execution of Boulez’s Tropes and Antiphonie was particularly convincing. Boffard also conveyed expression of Notations by the same composer before concluding with Debussy’s Compound arpeggios.
Transcendent Transcriptions
Florian Noack transported audiences to another universe through the art of transcription. His arrangement of Bach’s Concerto for four clavecins and his rendition of Schéhazade,including Gershwin pieces,were received with great enthusiasm.A minor stumble in Ravel’s Five o’clock reminded the audience of the Belgian pianist’s humanity.
Ravel’s Mastery
Bertrand Chamayou’s two concerts featuring Ravel’s piano works were a testament to technical perfection and stylistic adaptability. He demonstrated an understanding of the emotional intensity behind the transcendent virtuosity of Scarbo, and his performance in the final movement of Cub was striking. Chamayou’s mastery of stamps in the most introspective parts like The Cloches Valley, The Gibt or the last of Noble and sentimental waltzes was evident.The intimate room of the conservatory added to the appreciation of his genius.
Lille Piano (s) Festival. From June 13 to 15.
