Jean-François Zygel

Classic

France

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Jean-Francois Zygel

Pianist and composer, Jean-François Zygel is a virtuoso of improvisation, the art of invention and the moment. His eclecticism and curiosity lead him to regularly share the stage with artists from all horizons: Gabriela Montero, Chilly Gonzales, Didier Lockwood, Bobby McFerrin, Michel Portal, Ibrahim Maalouf, Abd Al Malik, Médéric Collignon, Bruno Fontaine, André Manoukian, Jacky Terrasson, Raphaëlle Boitel, Dan Tepfer, Thomas Enhco, Sly Johnson, Kaori Ito...

His projects mix improvisation, composition and repertoire, with his main ports of call this season being La Seine Musicale, the Orchestre national du Capitole de Toulouse and the Philharmonie Luxembourg, where he has been in residence since 2015.
Appreciated by the general public for his work in introducing classical music to radio and television, Jean-François Zygel is also renowned in France and abroad as one of the best specialists in concert accompaniment of silent films.

He passes on his art of improvisation in his class at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, engaging in numerous partnerships with institutions such as the Forum des Images, the Centre Pompidou, the Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé Foundation and the Cinémathèque française.

Jean-François Zygel can regularly be heard on France Inter and France Télévisions, where he defends classical music in all its forms with humour and passion. His various albums are published by Naïve and Sony.
 

Program proposals


Fantaisies on Bach

“There is always a moment in the life of a musician when Bach falls on his head ...

Take Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann (who said of the Well-Tempered Clavier that he was his "daily bread"), Chopin (who began his days with the performance of a Prelude and fugue), Brahms, Liszt, not to mention, more close to us, Shostakovich and his twenty-four Preludes and fugues, Hindemith and his Ludus Tonalis.

More recently, Bach has become the favorite food of improvisers, especially jazz musicians.

Will you be shocked that I take my turn in Bach's music, that I deliver my vision of it, that I remember the 18th century to better invent the 21st century? "

 

Fantaisies on Beethoven

Virtuosity, sense of color, fantasy, humor and imagination will be the key words of this exceptional concert by the most famous of French pianist improvisers, in homage to the great romantic composer.

Inspired by his rhythmic energy, his pianistic heroism, his powerful and drawn themes, Jean-François Zygel imagines for us a veritable recital of improvisations, as Beethoven himself practiced them until the end of his life in front of his dear Viennese audience.

 

The Fabulous Fablier (Jean de La Fontaine and me).

Jean-François Zygel deploys all his virtuosity in honor of Jean de La Fontaine! The famous improviser pianist sets the animal allegories of La Fontaine's fables to music in instant compositions, according to his fancy and his inspiration. On the fairy tree, the little stories are wisely waiting to be chosen ... But which one will be read and imagined in music? What melody for the crow, what chords for the cicada, what rhythms for the City Rat or for the Field Rat? A transfiguration in which the spectators participate by seizing the words of the poet, thus fully participating in the show, from the youngest to the oldest. An interactive, original and unique musical display.

 

Victor Hugo, words and music

An astonishing improvisational recital which will pay homage to the great Victor Hugo, to his legends, to his breath, to his visions, to his humor too. From Orientales to Misérables, from Notre-Dame de Paris to The Legend of the Centuries, from Contemplations to Punishments, Jean-François Zygel will transfigure into music the immense and eventful word of the most famous of French poets.

 

Jean-François Zygel puts your city to music

Between virtuosity and fantasy, the famous pianist composer will share with you during this recital an unusual and festive sensory experience, a poetic journey nourished 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!

 

Cine-concert

Jean-François Zygel is today recognized in France and abroad as one of the best specialists in the accompaniment of silent films in concert. Among his favorite films, the great titles of German expressionist cinema (Nosferatu, Faust, L'Aurore et Le Dernier des hommes by FW Murnau, Les Nibelungen by Fritz Lang), but also French impressionists such as Marcel L'Herbier (L ' Argent) or Jean Epstein (La Belle Nivernaise). His repertoire also includes the famous Phantom of the Opera by Rupert Julian, Les Misérables by Henri Fescourt, Le Roi des rois by Cecil B. DeMille, and silent films by Alfred Hitchcock.

Videos

Jean-François Zygel: "Variations on Élise"
Jean-François Zygel at Saint-Just Saint-Rambert
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! ...
JF Zygel et Marcin Wyrostek
TIFF Stories: Improvisation Jean-François Zygel | TIFF 2020

Upcoming concerts

25 Mar 2023
PARIS (75) - Maison de la Radio et de la Musique - Auditorium
Jean-François Zygel
30 Mar 2023
PORRENTRUY, SUISSE - Centre culturel
Jean-François Zygel
04 Apr 2023
MONTPELLIER (34) - Opéra-comédie
Jean-François Zygel
05 Apr 2023
MONTPELLIER (34) - Opéra-comédie
Jean-François Zygel
14 Apr 2023
ALBI (81) - Scène nationale
Jean-François Zygel
16 Apr 2023
BOULOGNE-BILLANCOURT (92) - La Seine musicale
Jean-François Zygel
23 Apr 2023
LUXEMBOURG - Philharmonie
Jean-François Zygel
29 Apr 2023
TOULOUSE (31) - Halle aux grains
Jean-François Zygel
30 Apr 2023
TOURNEFEUILLE (31) - L'escale
Jean-François Zygel
07 May 2023
BIARRITZ (64) - Gare du midi
Jean-François Zygel
08 Jun 2023
PARIS (75) - Cathédrale Saint-louis - saison musicale des invalides
Jean François Zygel & André Manoukian

Archived concerts

24 Mar 2023
PARIS (75) - Maison de la Radio et de la Musique - Auditorium
Jean-François Zygel
18 Mar 2023
AIX-EN-PROVENCE (13) - Musique dans la rue - le Grand Théâtre de Provence
Jean François Zygel & André Manoukian
17 Mar 2023
AIX-EN-PROVENCE (13) - Auditorium Darius Milhaud
Jean-François Zygel
11 Mar 2023
TOULOUSE (31) - Halle aux grains - "Monstrueusement vôtre", concert-fantaisie avec l'Orchestre national du Capitole
Jean-François Zygel
05 Mar 2023
BOULOGNE-BILLANCOURT (92) - Seine Musicale
Jean-François Zygel
02 Mar 2023
GRENOBLE (38) - Musée, Auditorium - Le Fabuleux Fablier
Jean-François Zygel
28 Feb 2023
TULLE (19), FRANCE - L'empreinte - scène nationale
Jean-François Zygel
26 Feb 2023
LUXEMBOURG - Philharmonie - CIné-concert "La veuve joyeuse"
Jean-François Zygel
18 Feb 2023
PARIS (75) - Maison de la Radio et de la Musique - Auditorium
Jean-François Zygel
17 Feb 2023
PARIS (75) - Maison de la Radio et de la Musique - Auditorium
Jean-François Zygel
11 Feb 2023
LES LILAS - Le triton - Pianos croisés avec Andy Emler
Jean-François Zygel
10 Feb 2023
PARIS, FRANCE - Musée Jacquemart-André - Le Fabuleux Fablier
Jean-François Zygel
07 Feb 2023
RUEIL-MALMAISON (92), FRANCE - Théâtre André Malraux - Double Bach, avec la chapelle Harmonique
Jean-François Zygel
04 Feb 2023
VERSAILLES (78) - palais des congrès - Fantaisies sur Bach
Jean-François Zygel
03 Feb 2023
MANDELIEU-LA-NAPOULE (06) - Espace léonard de vinci - Fantaisies sur bach
Jean-François Zygel
28 Jan 2023
TOULOUSE (31) - Halle aux grains - "Les compositeurs se mettent au vert" avec l'Orchestre National du Capitole
Jean-François Zygel
19 Jan 2023
ARLON, BELGIQUE - maison de la culture - portrait musical
Jean-François Zygel
11 Dec 2022
ST-RÉMY-L'HONORÉ (78), FRANCE - Solo
Jean-François Zygel
09 Dec 2022
PARIS (75) - Théâtre Traversière - Solo
Jean-François Zygel
04 Dec 2022
LUXEMBOURG - philharmonie - mon ami schubert
Jean-François Zygel
26 Nov 2022
ANTONY (92) - L'azimut - duel de piano avec franck woeste
Jean-François Zygel
25 Nov 2022
SAINT-JUST-SAINT RAMBERT (42) - La Passerelle - Improvisation sur Beethoven
Jean-François Zygel
17 Nov 2022
SANARY-SUR-MER (83) - Théâtre Galli - Solo
Jean-François Zygel
13 Nov 2022
LUXEMBOURG - Philharmonie - bataille d'improvisation avec Michel Portal
Jean-François Zygel
11 Nov 2022
MONTPELLIER (34) - ZAT - Le piano perché
Jean-François Zygel
05 Nov 2022
QUIMPER (29) - centre des congrès du chapeau rouge - improvisation sur bach
Jean-François Zygel
29 Oct 2022
TOULOUSE (31) - Halle aux grains - mon ami schubert
Jean-François Zygel
21 Oct 2022
MAUBEUGE (59) - le manège - solo
Jean-François Zygel
20 Oct 2022
CHARLEVILLE-MÉZIÈRES (08) - TCM - Victor Hugo, Paroles et Musiques
Jean-François Zygel
15 Oct 2022
BONNEUIL-SUR-MARNE (94) - Salle gérard philippe - improvisation sur bach
Jean-François Zygel
13 Oct 2022
PARIS (75) - bibliothèque polonaise - improvisations sur chopin
Jean-François Zygel
09 Oct 2022
BEAUVAIS (60) - Théâtre du beauvaisis - Mon mozart à moi
Jean-François Zygel
09 Oct 2022
BEAUVAIS (60) - Maladrerie - Saint-lazare - Solo
Jean-François Zygel
08 Oct 2022
BEAUVAIS (60) - maladrerie Saint-Lazare - Entre classique et jazz
Jean-François Zygel
08 Oct 2022
BEAUVAIS (60) - Auditorium Rostropovitch - portraits à emporter
Jean-François Zygel
07 Oct 2022
BEAUVAIS (60) - Maladrerie saint-Lazare - Bataille d'improvisation
Jean-François Zygel
06 Oct 2022
BEAUVAIS (60) - Théâtre du Beauvaisis - CIné-concert
Jean-François Zygel
01 Oct 2022
MÉRIGNAC (33) - Espace Culturel du Pin Galant
Jean François Zygel & André Manoukian
30 Sep 2022
MONTEREAU (77) - Le Majestic
Jean François Zygel & André Manoukian
11 Sep 2022
BEAULIEU-SUR-MER (06) - Beaulieu Classic Festival
Jean-François Zygel
06 Sep 2022
BOULOGNE-BILLANCOURT (92) - La Seine Musicale
Jean-François Zygel
23 Aug 2022
LA CLUSAZ (74) - Musique à Beauregard
Jean-François Zygel
19 Aug 2022
ROMANS-SUR-ISÈRE (26) - Les Musicades - Solo
Jean-François Zygel
16 Aug 2022
VIENS (84) - Le fabuleux fablier de Jean-François Zygel
Jean-François Zygel
07 Aug 2022
GUÉRET (23) - Festival Musique à la source
Jean François Zygel & André Manoukian
05 Aug 2022
CONQUES-EN-ROUERGUE (12) - Vestiges du cloître - Solo
Jean-François Zygel
03 Aug 2022
MAZAUGUES (13) - Nuits Musicales de Mazaugues - Duo avec Hugues Leclère
Jean-François Zygel
28 Jul 2022
LIMOGES (87) - 1001 Notes - Solo
Jean-François Zygel
26 Jul 2022
SAINT SULPICE LE VERDON (85) - Musiques Au Logis
Jean-François Zygel
20 Jul 2022
TOULOUSE (31) - Concerts sous les étoiles
Jean François Zygel & André Manoukian
19 Jul 2022
TOULOUSE (31) - Festival de Toulouse - Récital
Jean-François Zygel
14 Jul 2022
LA PAZ, BOLIVIE - Museo Tambo Quirquincho
Jean-François Zygel
11 Jul 2022
SANTA CRUZ , BOLIVIE - Centro Boliviano Americano
Jean-François Zygel
10 Jul 2022
SANTA CRUZ, BOLIVIE - Alliance Française
Jean-François Zygel
07 Jul 2022
LA PAZ, BOLIVIE - Ciné-concert
Jean-François Zygel
06 Jul 2022
LA PAZ , BOLIVIE - Festival de la Paz
Jean-François Zygel
04 Jul 2022
LA PAZ, BOLIVIE - Théâtre Municipal - Atelier d'Improvisation
Jean-François Zygel
29 Jun 2022
CHAMBÉRY (73) - Les Estivales en Savoie - Le Fabuleux Fablier - GRATUIT
Jean-François Zygel
25 Jun 2022
TIMISOARA, ROUMANIE - Ciné-concert
Jean-François Zygel
18 Jun 2022
PARENTIS-EN-BORN (40) - Arènes Roland Portalier
Jean François Zygel & André Manoukian
12 Jun 2022
PARIS (75) - Auditorium de Radio France - Fantaisies sur Beethoven
Jean-François Zygel
07 Jun 2022
ANGERS (49) - Centre de congrès - "Invitation à la valse", avec le Chœur Spirito
Jean-François Zygel
04 Jun 2022
TOULOUSE (31) - Halle aux grains - "Mon Ravel à moi" avec l'Orchestre national du Capitole de Toulouse
Jean-François Zygel
28 May 2022
BIARRITZ (64) - la Gare du Midi
Jean François Zygel & André Manoukian
20 May 2022
LE CRÈS (34) - Theatre de l'Agora - Jean-François Zygel met le Crès en musique
Jean-François Zygel
15 May 2022
PROVINS (77) - Église Saint-Ayoul - Jean-François Zygel met Provins en musique
Jean-François Zygel
14 May 2022
PROVINS (77) - Église Saint-Ayoul - Jean-François Zygel met Provins en musique
Jean-François Zygel
13 May 2022
SUCY (94) - Espace Jean Marie Poirier - Jean-François Zygel met Sucy en musique
Jean-François Zygel
08 May 2022
LUXEMBOURG - Philharmonie Luxembourg - Le Fabuleux Fablier de Jean-François Zygel
Jean-François Zygel
30 Apr 2022
ERVY-LE-CHÂTEL (10) - Mosaïques Musicales d’Ervy le Châtel - Jean-François Zygel met en musique Ervy-le-Châtel
Jean-François Zygel
21 Apr 2022
NARBONNE (11) - Théâtre + Cinéma - Fantaisies sur Beethoven
Jean-François Zygel
15 Apr 2022
SAVIGNY-SUR-ORGE (91) - Salle des Fêtes de Savigny sur Orge - Jean-François Zygel met Savigny sur Orge en musique
Jean-François Zygel
10 Apr 2022
PARIS (75) - Auditorium de Radio France - Les Clefs de l'orchestre - Mozart, grandes ouvertures d'opéra - avec l'Orchestre philharmonique de Radio France
Jean-François Zygel
09 Apr 2022
PARIS (75) - Auditorium de Radio France - Les Clefs de l'orchestre - Mozart, grandes ouvertures d'opéra - avec l'Orchestre philharmonique de Radio France
Jean-François Zygel