Programme

J. S. Bach / Charles Gounod

Prélude n° 1 en do majeur – Duo Cziffra

Erik Satie (1866–1925)

Gnossienne n° 1 – Ludmilla Guilmault

Johannes Brahms

Danse hongroise n° 1 – Duo Cziffra

Erik Satie

Gymnopédie n° 1 – Duo Cziffra

Erik Satie

Gnossienne n° 2 – Jean-Noël Dubois

Frédéric Chopin (1810–1849)

Polonaise héroïque n° 6, op. 53 – Jean-Noël Dubois

Johannes Brahms

Danse hongroise n° 4 – Duo Cziffra

Franz Liszt (1811–1886)

Les Jeux d'eaux à la Villa d'Este – Ludmilla Guilmault

Claude Debussy (1862–1918)

Petite Suite – « Ballet » – Duo Cziffra

Déodat de Séverac (1872–1921)

En vacances – « Où l'on entend une vieille boîte à musique » – Duo Cziffra

Maurice Ravel (1875–1937)

Laideronnette, impératrice des pagodes

(extrait de Ma Mère l'Oye) – Duo Cziffra

The Duo Cziffra composed of French pianists Ludmilla Guilmault & Jean-Noël Dubois, is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished and highly regarded ensembles in the profession. This extremely versatile ensemble combines a touch of humor, always used to great effect, with works performed in a meticulously planned sequence, perfectly suited to their unusual repertoire. Their playing, punctuated by chords struck with passion and precision, is interspersed with silences, sometimes followed by a series of dazzling solos. From the age of four, Ludmilla Guilmault showed exceptional talent for the piano, encouraged by her grandmother, the pianist Félisa Torrecillas. Trained at the Magda Tagliaferro Academy in Paris, she obtained the Certificate and Diploma of Honour before being noticed by Yvonne Desportes, winner of the Grand Prix de Rome, whose works she performed in world premieres for ten years.

A soloist with a passionate and delicate temperament, Ludmilla has received numerous awards, including gold medals at the City of Paris and Cziffra Foundation competitions, as well as first prize at the “Clés d'Or” competition. In 2015, she was named Ambassador of the Republic of Montmartre. She performs in France and internationally (Europe, the Americas, Asia,

Africa) and collaborates with prestigious orchestras such as the Philharmonie de la Rioja and Sinfonia Varsovia. A guest at renowned festivals (Cziffra Foundation, Taiwan Piano Festival, Zacatecas in Mexico), she has given more than 2,000 concerts and has been pursuing a worldwide career with the Cziffra Duo in more than 70 countries since 2017. Her discography, comprising some twenty albums, is available on her websitewww.ludmilla-guilmault.com

The artist Jean-Noël Dubois, originally from La Châtre in Berry, the home of Georges Sand, saw his musical career marked by decisive encounters with Pierre Sancan, professor at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, and then with György Cziffra. Noticed by the latter, with whom he would go on to work, Jean-Noël Dubois saw his talent confirmed. Winner of the Franz Liszt International Competition in Utrecht and the Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche (“Steinway”) Competition, he established himself as a specialist in Liszt while also being a great interpreter of Chopin and his introverted world. Tired of concerts but passionate about teaching and instrument making, he devoted himself to pedagogy, training both young children and future professionals. He holds a State Diploma, awarded unanimously, and a Certificate of Aptitude. His meeting with Ludmilla Guilmault in 2007 led him to return to the stage, much to the delight of audiences. The Cziffra Duo draws its inspiration from their shared mentor, György Cziffra. The name of the duo was an obvious choice in homage to this legendary pianist.