Jean-Francois Zygel
All for improvisation ! Already as a child, he worried his teachers about music, spending most of his time letting his imagination flow on his keyboards...
After his studies at the Paris Conservatory (CNSMDP) where he obtains 10 first prizes, Jean-Francois Zygel wins in 1982 1st prize at the International Piano Improvisation Competition in the city of Lyon. It is the beginning of a unique improvisation concertist whoch will bring him to share the stage with dancers, actors. jazz artists, song or world music
Named « artiste en résidence » for the 5th consecutive year at the Philharmonie Luxembourg, Jean-Francois Zygel will perform at more than a hundred concerts in France and internationally of the 2019-2020 season.
Jean-Francois Zygel is recognised in France and internationally as one of the best specialists in acompanying silent films in concert.
In October 2015, he improvises live for 6 hours on images from a new restored version of henri Fescourt's Miserables Victor Hugo at the Théâtre du Châtelet, a performance he did again the following year at the Musicl Festival of Strasbourg, then in July 2018 at the International Film Festival in Jerusalem and in 2019 at the Parvis de Tarbes.
For the french Cinémathèque, he signs in 2016 Victor Sjöström's music La Charrette fantome, Dreyer's La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc and Marcel L'Herbier's L'Argent at Hanovre and in Hambourg. He puts into music Rupert Julian's Le Fantôme de l’opéra for the Opera of Monte-Carlo in October 2016, solo also performed at the Chorégies d’Orange in July 2017 and in the Auditorium of Lyon in March 2019.
For the Spirito Choir, he creates in 2017 an Imaginary Requiem in english, german, latin, slavon and aramean.
jean-Francois Zygel founded fifteen years ago the improvisation class in piano at the Paris Conservatory, engaging many partnerships with institutions such as the Forum des Images, the Fondation Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé and the Cinémathèque française.
He is also known from the public for his interventions in television (Les Clefs de l’orchestre, La Boîte à musique...) and on the radio (La Preuve par Z sur France Inter), where he defends with malice and passion his art of predilection.
His last album, L'Alchimiste, recently appeared in Sony.
News
New project
Jean-François Zygel puts your city to music
Improvisation recital
Between virtuosity and fantasy, the famous pianist-composer will share with you during this recital an unusual and festive sensory experience, a poetic journey fueled by his own emotions and his meeting with the listeners of this unique concert. Musical paintings inspired by the history, architecture, emblematic places and legends of your city. A tailor-made concert!
Videos
Jean-François Zygel - L'alchimiste (making of)
Jean-François Zygel: "Variations on Élise"
Jean-François Zygel: "After the rain" (tribute to Michel Legrand)
Impro'baroque
Jean François Zygel re-harmonizes the prelude n ° 1 of Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier - Chills! ...
Piano Battle Chilly Gonzales vs Jean Francois Zygel
JF Zygel et Marcin Wyrostek
TIFF Stories: Improvisation Jean-François Zygel | TIFF 2020
Upcoming concerts
12 Feb 2021
PARIS - Auditorium de Radio France - Les Clefs de l'orchestre : Ravel, Ma Mère l'Oye, avec l'Orchestre philharmonique de Radio France
13 Feb 2021
PARIS - Auditorium de Radio France - Les Clefs de l'orchestre : Ravel, Ma Mère l'Oye, avec l'Orchestre philharmonique de Radio France
20 Feb 2021
TOULOUSE - Halle aux grains - Un Français à New York, un Américain à Paris, avec l'Orchestre national du Capitole de Toulouse
28 Feb 2021
PARIS - Cinémathèque française - ciné-concerts Murnau : "City Girl" et "Nosferatu"
07 Mar 2021
LUXEMBOURG - Philharmonie Luxembourg - Voulez-vous faire l'humour avec moi ?
19 Mar 2021
WISSOUS, FRANCE - Jean-François Zygel improvise sur Beethoven
20 Mar 2021
LE RAINCY (93) - Église Notre-Dame du Raincy - Jean François Zygel & André Manoukian
25 Mar 2021
BOURGES - Maison de la Culture, scène nationale - Un Requiem imaginaire, avec le choeur de chambre Spirito
03 Apr 2021
TOULOUSE - Halle aux grains - La Fabuleuse Histoire de Michel Strogoff
17 Apr 2021
BOULOGNE BILLANCOURT (92) - La Seine Musicale - Mon ami Beethoven
18 Apr 2021
EPINAL (88), FRANCE - Auditorium de la Louvière - Jean François Zygel & André Manoukian
22 Apr 2021
MAUBEUGE - Le Manège - Un Requiem imaginaire, avec le choeur de chambre Spirito
24 Apr 2021
PORRENTRUY , SUISSE - Bachmania, avec Hugues Leclère
29 Apr 2021
GRENOBLE - Musée de Grenoble - Jean-François Zygel improvise sur Apollinaire
21 May 2021
BIARRITZ ( 6) - Theatre Du Casino - Jean François Zygel & André Manoukian
Archived concerts
15 Dec 2020
NARBONNE, FRANCE - Narbonne - improvise sur Bach
03 Dec 2020
WISSOUS (91) - Espace culturel Saint Exupéry - improvise sur Beethoven
21 Oct 2020
MONACO (98) - Opéra de Monte-Carlo / Ciné-concert "Nosferatu"
17 Oct 2020
ANGOULêME (16) - Piano en Valois / Jean-François Zygel improvise sur Beethoven
16 Oct 2020
SAINT GILLES CROIX DE VIE (85), FRANCE - Centre culturel la Conserverie - Jean François Zygel improvise sur Beethoven
11 Oct 2020
SAINTE-FOY-LèS-LYON (69) - Salle Ellipse - Jean François Zygel improvise sur Beethoven
01 Oct 2020
GRENOBLE (38) - Musée de Grenoble / Concert-fantaisie de Jean-François Zygel
27 Sep 2020
LUXEMBOURG (14) - Philharmonie Luxembourg / "La Fabuleuse Histoire de Michel Strogoff"
18 Sep 2020
PUGET-SUR-ARGENS (83) - Espace Culturel Victor Hugo - Jean François Zygel & André Manoukian
26 Aug 2020
VIENS (84), FRANCE - Ferréofolies / Jean-François Zygel improvise sur Beethoven
25 Aug 2020
VIENS (84), FRANCE - Ferréofolies / Jean-François Zygel improvise sur Beethoven
15 Aug 2020
MEGèVE (74) - Savoy Truffle Festival : Ciné-concert "La Vie de Beethoven"
15 Aug 2020
MEGèVE (74) - Savoy Truffle Festival : Ciné-concert
08 Aug 2020
AHUN (23), FRANCE - Festival Musique à la source / Double Bach, avec La Chapelle Harmonique
05 Aug 2020
OIZON (18) - Festival de Boucard Haut-Berry / Jean-François Zygel met en musique le Château de la Verrerie
02 Aug 2020
CLUJ, ROUMANIE - TIFF / Ciné-concert "Faust"
23 Jul 2020
ARGENTON-SUR-CREUSE - Festival Debussy / Duel d'improvisation avec Thomas Enhco
18 Jul 2020
CANNES (06) - Terrasses on air / Jean-François Zygel improvise sur Beethoven
06 May 2020
BELGIQUE - ABBAYE MUSICALE DE MALONNE - Ludwig vs. Beethoven
05 May 2020
BELGIQUE - ABBAYE MUSICALE DE MALONNE - Ludwig vs. Beethoven
26 Apr 2020
LUXEMBOURG - Philharmonie Luxembourg / Ciné - concert "Nosferatu"
24 Apr 2020
LIVRY GARGAN - Centre culturel cinéma - Yves-Montand
03 Apr 2020
MANOSQUE - Théâtre Jean Le Bleu - Jean-François Zygel improvise sur Jean Giono
31 Mar 2020
TOULON - Théâtre Liberté - Fantaisies sur Beethoven
29 Mar 2020
NICE - Théâtre National - Jean François Zygel improvise sur les poètes
28 Mar 2020
NICE - Théâtre National - Jean François Zygel improvise sur les poètes
24 Mar 2020
BOURGES - Auditorium - Un Requiem imaginaire, avec le Choeur Spirito
19 Mar 2020
TOULOUSE - La Halle aux Grains - La fabuleuse histoire de Michel Strogoff
14 Mar 2020
AIX EN PROVENCE (13), FRANCE - Théâtre du Jeu de Paume - improvise sur Beethoven
12 Mar 2020
SAINT BENOîT (86), FRANCE - La Hune de Saint Benoît - Jean François Zygel & André Manoukian
10 Mar 2020
OYE PLAGE (62), FRANCE - Salle Jean Crinon - Fantaisies sur Beethoven
08 Mar 2020
LUXEMBOURG, LUXEMBOURG - Philharmonie Luxembourg - «Victor Hugo, paroles et musique»
01 Mar 2020
SAINT-RéMY-L'HONORé (78), FRANCE - Eglise de Saint-Rémy l’Honoré
21 Feb 2020
SALLANCHES (74), FRANCE - Salle Léon Curral - Grande Salle - Jean François Zygel & André Manoukian
13 Feb 2020
TOULON (83), FRANCE - Opéra de Toulon - Ciné-concert "Le Fantôme de l'Opéra"
08 Feb 2020
GRENOBLE (38), FRANCE - MC2 : Grenoble - Jean François Zygel - improvise sur “L’Argent”
02 Feb 2020
PARIS (75), FRANCE - Musée Jacquemart-André
01 Feb 2020
PARIS (75), FRANCE - Musée Jacquemart-André
Our artists
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Agathe Iracema
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AL McKay´s Earth Wind & Fire Experience
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Alpha Blondy
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André Manoukian
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Bollywood Masala Orchestra
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China Moses & André Manoukian
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Chromatik
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Cock Robin
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Electro Deluxe
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Elodie Frégé & André Manoukian
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EMJI
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Ensemble Nouvelles Portées
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Flem : Nomades
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Hélène Tysman & Francis Huster
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Henri Dès
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Ida Nielsen
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Jean François Zygel & André Manoukian
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Jean-François Zygel
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Jo Harman
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Kool & the Gang
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LMZG - Lamuzgueule
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Ludivine Issambourg - ANTILOOPS
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Ludivine Issambourg - OUTLAWS
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Malted Milk
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Marianne James
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Mario Canonge
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Naturally 7 (USA)
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New Gospel Family
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Pandhora
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Polycool
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Robin McKelle
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Stochelo Rosenberg
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The Puppini Sisters
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Toumanian mek
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Trio Casadesus - Enhco