Piano Nocturnes
Who are we?
Welcome to all!
The Le Piano en liberté Association
Organized by the Le Piano en liberté Association, the festival offers a rare experience: musical excellence performed by exceptional virtuosos, set against a backdrop of starlit skies and the ocean horizon.
Since 2022, our event has offered a unique experience in Cagnes-sur-Mer, bringing together music lovers and accomplished artists. Our goal is to celebrate the harmony between classical music and the enchanting seaside setting at the Hippodrome de la Côte d’Azur.
Christine GASTAUD - Pianist, piano teacher at the Conservatoire National de Région de Nice, Creator and Artistic Director of the Festival Les Nocturnes du Piano and President of the association Le Piano en Liberté.
The 2025 edition of the Nocturnes du Piano once again provided an opportunity for the Côte d’Azur audience to discover young piano talents who captivated us with their talent!
It was a truly wonderful edition …
In 2026, YOUTH and TALENT will take center stage more than ever!
In fact, you’ll have the chance to meet:
Arielle Beck, a true 17-year-old prodigy who has just been named Instrumental Soloist Revelation 2026,
Ryan Wang, an 18-year-old Canadian pianist , winner of the 2024 BBC Young Musician competition and considered one of the most impressive talents of the new generation.
We will have the great honor of welcoming Théo Fouchenneret, First Prize winner at the Geneva Competition, Adi Neuhaus, linked to the great Russian piano tradition through Heinrich Neuhaus, his grandfather (teacher of Richter and Gilels) … And … Diana Cooper, a true gem, First Prize at the 2025 Samson François International Competition …
We will also be hosting a tango-themed evening with Jorge Gonzalez Buajasan and his three collaborators…
As for Philippe Bianconi, our patron, he will of course be there, along with the great baritone Samuel Hasselhorn, winner of the 2018 Queen Elisabeth Competition (voice), one of the most prestigious competitions in the world… Both will treat us to an exceptional evening dedicated to Schubert’s Winterreise ….
This year’s event promises to be truly magical, and we hope to see many of you there to share these precious moments …
Philippe BIANCONI - International pianist, Patron of the Festival Les Nocturnes du piano.
From their very first edition in July 2022, the Nocturnes du Piano were a huge success, generating enthusiasm among both the audience and the guest artists.
Right from the start, artistic director Christine Gastaud’s gamble paid off, despite the initial doubts and reservations about the venue—which was, to say the least, an unusual choice for classical music concerts.
It came as a great surprise to many to discover thatthe Hippodrome de la Côte d’Azur in Cagnes-sur-Mer possessed unique qualities, as well as surprisingly good acoustics for hosting piano recitals. Subsequent editions brilliantly confirmed this success.
Of course, it is through a demanding and exceptionally high-quality program that Christine Gastaud has succeeded in captivating music lovers, allowing them to discover ever more exceptional young pianists on the cusp of great careers.
I am very proud to be the patron of such an event, which has successfully established itself as an essential fixture in the musical landscape of the Côte d’Azur and among French festivals.
To celebrate its 5th anniversary in style, Les Nocturnes du Piano promises more memorable musical moments featuring wonderful young pianists, as well as two exceptional evenings. I will have the pleasure of performing with the renowned German baritone Samuel Hasselhorn for a Schubert evening. And the final festive evening dedicated to tango, featuring Jorge Buajasan Gonzalez and his friends, should bring this anniversary edition to a spectacular close!
Alongside the Nocturnes, the Samson François International Piano Competition made a huge splash right from its inaugural edition in 2022 by discovering a 14-year-old pianist, Ryan Wang, who is now on his way to a brilliant career and continues to win international awards. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Nicolas Bringuier, this magnificent competition continues to grow, helping to discover the young pianists of tomorrow.
François FORCIOLI-CONTI - President of Hippodrome de la Côte d'Azur - Cagnes-sur-Mer.
That was five years ago.
The first “Nocturnes du piano” events took root at the racetrack.
While the initiative was viewed favorably, many doubted that classical music had a place at a racetrack. Fortunately, however, the city, the department, the region, and a few sponsors supported us. Thank you!!
This trial run was an undeniable success, with the venue revealing unexpectedly high-quality acoustics and showcasing highly talented young artists who met the exacting standards of excellence that Christine Gastaud sought to achieve.
The Samson François International Piano Competition, associated with the Festival, was won outright by .... Ryan Wang, who returns to Cagnes-sur-Mer 4 years after his youthful triumph, but whose talent is now universally recognized, to treat us to a recital on the last evening of the Festival.
Yes, Cagnes-sur-Mer can be proud of having contributed to the discovery of one of the great pianists of this century, and with him so many other young performers who will soon be at the forefront of the international scene.
By taking the initiative with Christine Gastaud to make the racecourse a cultural venue, the Association des Courses de la Côte d'Azur (ACCA) is fulfilling its mission of promoting Côte d'Azur tourism and raising the profile of our region.
What could be more magical: night comes, and surreptitiously, only the pianist and his instrument remain in the light, with the Mediterranean reflecting the stars, silent but ever present.
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