In Cagnes-sur-Mer, the Les Nocturnes du Piano festival is launching its second edition in the astonishing setting of the Côte d’Azur racecourse

Inviting renowned musicians and promoting the younger generation is the DNA of this young festival which has the amazing setting of the Côte d’Azur racecourse. 6 recitals are offered as well as two competitions to promote the pianists of tomorrow.

Philippe Bianconi opening the festival

It is the great world-famous pianist Philippe Bianconi who opens this Monday, July 3 the festival, of which he is also the godfather. He will share the poster with Clément Lefebvre. On the program: Chopin, Schumann or even Ravel. A recital evening followed by five others with confirmed pianists like Jean-Paul Gasparian, rising stars like Théo Fouchenneret, “instrumental soloist revelation” at the Victories of Classical Music in 2018, or Nour Ayadi, winner of the Cortot Prize in 2019. These concerts, which take place at the foot of the bleachers and facing the racetrack, are preceded in the early evening by a show by the magician Sylvain Mirouf.

“Samson François” competition

A great piano festival that gives pride of place to budding pianists. The festival organizes two “Samson François” competitions, in tribute to this French pianist, a great interpreter of Chopin, Ravel and Debussy: one for 5/15 year olds and another for 16/30 year olds. The junior competition has just ended. It will be the turn of the oldest to confront the jurors from July 5. An international competition where the candidates sometimes come from the other side of the world. “It’s so difficult to pass a competition, to come, to appear before a jury. At the slightest mistake, we can’t take it back, it’s over” explains Christine Gastaud, president of the festival Piano Nocturnes. The winners will close the festival with a concert on July 9.

Festival Piano Nocturnes – Racecourse of the Côte d’Azur in Cagnes-sur-Mer (Alpes-Maritimes) – Until July 9, 2023.