Piano Nocturnes
Who are we?
Welcome to all !
Christine GASTAUD - Pianist, former 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 2024 edition of the Nocturnes du Piano was once again an opportunity for the Côte d'Azur public to discover young pianistic talents who fascinated us all with their qualities in the enchanting setting of the Côte d'Azur racecourse.
For our fourth edition 2025, YOUTH and TALENT will once again be in the spotlight.
We have some real gems for you to discover or rediscover: Nour Ayadi, Jodyline Gavallardin, Rodolphe Menguy, Ismaël Margain, Dmytro Semykras, and also the 17-year-old prodigy currently sweeping all the international awards: Ryan Wang.
As for Philippe Bianconi, our patron, he returns to share an exceptional recital with you on Sunday, June 29 ....
It's already shaping up to be a magical edition, and we hope to see many of you there to share in 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 have been a tremendous success, arousing the enthusiasm of audiences and guest artists alike.
From the outset, artistic director Christine Gastaud's gamble was won, in the face of initial doubts and misgivings about the venue, which was unusual, to say the least, for classical music concerts.
Many were surprised to discover that theHippodrome de la Côte d'Azur in Cagnes-sur-Mer not only had unique qualities, but also surprisingly good acoustics for hosting piano recitals. Subsequent editions in 2023 and 2024 have confirmed this success.
Christine Gastaud has of course succeeded in winning over music lovers with her demanding, top-quality programming, and all the young artists invited to the first three festivals have been outstanding.
I'm very proud to be the patron of such an event, which in just three years has established itself as an essential part of the Côte d'Azur's musical landscape, and as one of France's leading festivals.
The line-up for the Nocturnes du Piano 2025 promises yet more exceptional musical moments, with admirable young artists that audiences will be delighted to discover or rediscover.
In parallel with the Nocturnes, the Samson François International Piano Competition struck a chord at its first edition in 2022, discovering a 14-year-old pianist, Ryan Wang, who is now on the road to a superb career and continues to collect international prizes. Thanks to the hard work of Olga Monakh and Nicolas Bringuier, this magnificent competition continues to develop, enabling the discovery of tomorrow's young pianists.
Louis NÈGRE - Mayor of Cagnes-sur-Mer
Delegate President of the Nice Côte d'Azur Metropolis
Our racecourse is a jewel not only because, as the saying goes, " it's the most beautiful in the world ", but also because of its capacity to host and embellish any event that takes place there.
The Festival Les Nocturnes du Piano, which runs from June 28 to July 7, is all about beauty.
The town of Cagnes-sur-Mer is grateful to Christine Gastaud and the association Le Piano en Liberté, as well as to the Association des Courses de la Côte d'Azur, for having chosen the Hippodrome. And our city can be proud to host these "Nocturnes" in this unusual setting for such a show.
For it is the only racecourse in the world to host classical music concerts.
We know that such an undertaking is difficult. We can only express our admiration and congratulations for having succeeded in fulfilling your ambition in just 3 years.
But better still, you have opted, with the help of Philippe Bianconi, to promote the promise of youth, thus paying tribute to the ever-necessary renewal of expressions of an age-old art.
This year, as part of the recitals and competition accompanying the "Nocturnes", young people from all over the world will be present.
The Town of Cagnes-sur-Mer, aware that the values of art and culture are essential, is delighted, thanks you and assures you of its unfailing support.
François FORCIOLI-CONTI - President of Hippodrome de la Côte d'Azur - Cagnes-sur-Mer.
It was 4 years ago.
The first Nocturnes du piano took root on the racecourse.
While the initiative was viewed with sympathy, many doubted that classical music had a place on a racecourse. But fortunately, the town, the department, the region and a number of sponsors supported us. Thank you!!
This trial run was an unqualified success, with the venue boasting acoustics of unexpected quality, and young, highly-talented artists meeting the high standards Christine Gastaud was aiming for.
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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