Jean-Marc Fessard: Gershwin, Bernstein, Piazzolla

Full of energy, colors and musical contrasts, a meeting of French artists, in which classical virtuosity meets jazz, tango and the sound of the 20th century. The program will include compositions by George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein, Francis Poulenc, Astor Piazzolla, as well as contemporary composer István Kohán.

From the rhythmic freedom of Rhapsody in Blue and the jazzy Three Preludes of Gershwin, through the expressive sonatas of Bernstein and Poulenc, to the passionate tango of Piazzolla, the concert will be a musical journey between classical tradition and musical culture of the 20th and 21st centuries. The program will also include István Kohán's Konzerstück à la Feidman for two clarinets and piano, and the composition will be completed by Sholem Alekhem, Rov Feidman! Bela Kovácsa.

Three outstanding musicians will meet on the stage: the acclaimed French pianist Fanny Azzuro and the outstanding clarinetists — Jean-Marc Fessard and Armand-Witold Fessard.

The concert will be conducted by Michał Janicki — actor, director and cabaret player known for the scenes of the Polish Theatre and Chamber Theatre.

Jean-Marc Fessard graduated from the National Conservatory of Music and Dance in Paris and the Academy of Music in Gdańsk, where he obtained his doctorate. He is a laureate of international competitions, including the Concours d'Interpretation Jacques Lancelot in Paris.

He has an international artistic activity as a soloist and chamber musician, performing with renowned orchestras and ensembles in Europe and beyond. He is a member of the Ensemble Sillages and is actively involved in the performance of contemporary music.

He has recorded around 40 records for labels such as Naxos, Dux, Universal and Radio France. His album dedicated to the work of Allain Gaussin received the prestigious Grand Prix de l'Académie Charles Cros. Jean-Marc Fessard is a professor at the Royal Conservatory in Brussels and the author of publications on the history and science of the clarinet.

Fanny Azzuro is a French pianist appreciated for the intensity, sensitivity and extraordinary color palette of her playing. She graduated from the National Conservatory of Music and Dance in Paris, where she studied piano and chamber music. She also developed her skills under the guidance of outstanding Russian educators, including Boris Petrushansky and Vladimir Viardo.

She has performed in prestigious concert halls such as Carnegie Hall in New York, Seoul Arts Center, Mozarteum in Salzburg or Auditorium de Radio France in Paris, as well as at the most important music festivals in Europe. She is a laureate of international piano competitions.

As a chamber musician, she has collaborated with renowned ensembles such as the Hermès, Voce, Van Kuijk and Talich quartets, as well as with outstanding soloists. She is a Yamaha and naïve label artist. Her discography includes, among others, the complete Rachmaninov Preludes, which is the first project of its kind realized by a French pianist.