"I've always played Chopin a lot": pianist Nicolas Bringuier performs at the Cagnes-sur-Mer racecourse this Saturday, May 24

The Piano Nights celebrate the harmony between classical music and the enchanting seaside setting at the Côte d'Azur racecourse. Since 2022, the event has offered a unique experience in Cagnes-sur-Mer, bringing together piano enthusiasts with young and established artists.

While the festival is preparing for its 4th edition (from June 27 to July 6), this Saturday, May 24, at 6 p.m., the event, created and hosted by Nice pianist Christine Gastaud, is developing a new aspect of its activity: the Hippodrome Musical Meetings. Dedicated to the king of instruments, these concerts will take place outside of the race meetings.

A recital dedicated to Chopin

To inaugurate the series, who better than Nicolas Bringuier could set the tone for one of the most comprehensive piano events. A concert pianist and internationally renowned teacher, trained in Paris and Berlin, and a winner of prestigious competitions, with a virtuoso and sensitive playing style, he presides, with his wife Olga Monakh, over the artistic destiny of the Samson François International Competition, one of the jewels of the Piano Nocturnes. His recital will be devoted to Chopin in a true exploration of the composer's work with the Lento con gran espressione , 4 mazurkas opus 17 , two waltzes, the 1st Ballade , the Nocturne opus 62/1 and the 3rd sonata in B minor . "I've always played a lot of Chopin, with whom I have a great affinity," says Nicolas Bringuier. "That's why I've decided to dedicate my work to him for the next three or four years by performing a complete collection of his works, of which this concert will be the first part."

A unique and comprehensive event

This unique evening will launch this prestigious festival, which takes place on a stage overlooking the racecourse in a unique panorama against the backdrop of the Mediterranean. Sponsored by their illustrious elder, Philippe Bianconi, the Nice pianist with a prestigious international career (in recital on June 29), six talented pianists from the younger generation – who are names to remember – will perform there: Rodolphe Menguy (June 27), Nour Ayadi (28), Dmytro Semykras (July 1), Jodyline Gallavardin (July 4), Ismaël Margain (July 5) and Ryan Wang, 1st prize winner of the Samson François International Competition 2022 at the age of 14 (July 6).

From June 28th to July 1st, the Samson François Junior Competition will bring together around a hundred young pianists under the age of 20, followed by the Masters Competition, in which around a hundred competitors under the age of 30 from some 40 nations will compete before a prestigious international jury. Piano enthusiasts will also have their weekend on July 5th and 6th, with concerts, masterclasses, and friendly and welcoming moments around the instrument.

Contact: Lesnocturnesdupiano.com