{"id":6607,"date":"2020-07-29T09:01:12","date_gmt":"2020-07-29T07:01:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.robertcasadesus.com\/accueil\/"},"modified":"2026-06-15T16:15:41","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T14:15:41","slug":"introduction","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.robertcasadesus.com\/en\/introduction\/","title":{"rendered":"Introduction"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn”][ Introduction<\/a> ] – [ News<\/a> ][\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_id=”intro”][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn”]<\/p>\n In a career spanning 50 years, Robert Casadesus built up an absolutely unique cultural heritage.<\/strong><\/p>\n Discover the life of Robert Casadesus in a long<\/a> or short<\/a>\u00a0biography, as well as a chronological approach (\u2018Timeline<\/a>\u2019).<\/p>\n 3,000 concerts, a considerable discography<\/a>, a catalogue of 69 works<\/a>, films and numerous educational speeches are signs of a great creative richness that now makes him considered one of the greatest French musicians of the 20th century.<\/p>\n His double vocation of performer-composer gave him the rare privilege of being both the observer and the perpetuator of the principal French musical currents of the 20th century. Commenting on an interpretation of Le Gibet, Ravel would say of him: \u201cYou must be a composer yourself in order to understand the music of others so well.\u201d<\/p>\n The USA, where a major portion of his career took place, paid him an exemplary tribute: in the firmament of those rare French stars recognized in America, his star shines in Hollywood<\/a>, alongside those of Rubinstein and Horowitz.<\/p>\n In audio and video<\/a>, listen to Robert Casadesus recount his memories during radio interviews or view sequences shot during his lifetime.<\/p>\n Many writings<\/a> have illustrated the life of Robert Casadesus. The bibliography<\/a> and filmography<\/a> menus allow you to access lists of works and video documents dedicated to the artist, while Programs<\/a> is a collection of period programs.<\/p>\n A visit to\u00a0‘Exhibition<\/a>‘\u00a0will enable you to appreciate the artist’s familiar objects, whereas\u00a0the Documents section\u00a0brings together numerous writings (newspaper articles, contemporary programmes, books), as well as audio and video excerpts.<\/p>\n You can also directly access the chronological and family albums in the photo galleries.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_id=”news”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n The Robert and Gaby Casadesus Collection Permanently Entrusted to the Biblioth\u00e8que nationale de France<\/b><\/p>\n The family of Robert and Gaby Casadesus is pleased to announce the completion of the permanent donation of the Robert and Gaby Casadesus Collection to the Department of Music of the Biblioth\u00e8que nationale de France. Deposited with the BnF in 2001, the collection has now been formally incorporated into France’s national collections.<\/p>\n The collection includes Robert Casadesus’s musical manuscripts as a composer, the music library used by Robert and Gaby Casadesus throughout their careers as concert pianists, as well as photographs, press materials, concert programs, and personal papers documenting their artistic lives and careers.<\/p>\n In a letter to the family<\/a>, Mathias Auclair, Director of the Department of Music, emphasized the importance of the collection as a valuable resource for performers and scholars alike. We also thank Agn\u00e8s Simon-Reecht, Head of Heritage Collections, for her assistance in organizing and completing the transfer.<\/p>\n This permanent donation fulfills Gaby Casadesus’s wish that her husband’s manuscripts, their shared musical library, and the family’s archival materials be entrusted to the Biblioth\u00e8que nationale de France. We are pleased that these materials will now be preserved and made available to the public, ensuring lasting access for musicians, researchers, and music lovers around the world to an exceptional documentary record of the lives and work of Robert and Gaby Casadesus.<\/p>\n Researchers and visitors interested in exploring the collection may consult its catalog record here:<\/p>\n https:\/\/archivesetmanuscrits. Robert And Gaby Casadesus Prize 2026<\/b><\/p>\n We are delighted to announce that Laura Brunou has been awarded the 2026 Robert and Gaby Casadesus Prize.<\/p>\n Born in Brittany in 2003, Laura Brunou began her piano studies at the Conservatoire of Vannes before continuing at the Conservatoire of Rennes and later at the Conservatoire \u00e0 Rayonnement R\u00e9gional de Paris in the class of J\u00e9r\u00f4me Granjon. She is currently completing her Bachelor’s degree at the Conservatoire National Sup\u00e9rieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris (CNSMDP), where she studies with Emmanuel Strosser and Lidija Bizjak.<\/p>\n Throughout her studies, she has distinguished herself in several international competitions, notably winning First Prize at the International C\u00e9sar Franck Competition in 2023 and First Prize at the France-Am\u00e9riques International Competition in 2019. During a studio recital presented by Emmanuel Strosser’s class at the CNSMDP on January 29, she performed \u00c9tudes Nos. 2, 3, 6, and 7, Op. 28 (1939) by Robert Casadesus, the work selected for this year’s prize.<\/p>\n Established in 2024, the Robert and Gaby Casadesus Prize is awarded annually to a piano student at the CNSMDP selected by the piano faculty. Candidates are invited to perform a major work by Robert Casadesus for solo piano. The prize seeks to encourage the study and performance of Robert Casadesus’s music by supporting outstanding young pianists at the beginning of their careers, while also commemorating the deep ties that Robert and Gaby Casadesus shared with the Paris Conservatoire, where they first met as students.<\/p>\n We extend our warmest congratulations to Laura Brunou and wish her every success in the continuation of her artistic journey.<\/p>\n Musicando Presents Robert Casadesus’s Quatuor \u00e0 cordes n\u00b0 1<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n We are pleased to begin a new collaboration with Musicando<\/a>, an association dedicated to supporting talented emerging musicians by providing opportunities for artistic development and performance. With the support of local partners in Palaiseau and the Essonne region, Musicando regularly presents concerts in a variety of settings, introducing classical music to new audiences.<\/span><\/p>\n As part of the concert program<\/a> “Cordes en Miroir,” presented in Palaiseau on April 18, Musicando performed the Adagio religioso<\/em> from Robert Casadesus’s String Quartet, Op. 13. Interpreted by Areski Moreira (violin), Clovis Tallet (violin), Axelle Varron (viola), and Alexandre Frochot (cello), the work offered a moment of great purity and stillness, embodying the elegance of the French musical tradition.<\/span><\/p>\n This collaboration will continue next autumn with a new concert featuring a more substantial work by Robert Casadesus.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”3″ accent_color=”#1a92af” el_class=”separateur_bleu”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Enigma – by Wenting Yu<\/b><\/p>\n We are thrilled to share the CD release of Enigma, by the internationally acclaimed and virtuosic pianist Wenting Yu on KNS Classical. Known for his exceptional artistry Yu brings his captivating interpretations to this tribute to the golden age of French piano music.<\/p>\n Described as a performer of “exceptional musicality and wide expressive range” by Pavlina Dokovska, Yu explores the legacy of Robert Casadesus and his influences. The album features timeless works by Rameau (Les Tendres Plaintes, Les Cyclopes), Debussy (Voiles, La Puerta del Vino), Ravel (Prelude and Toccata from Le Tombeau de Couperin), and Casadesus (selected works from 8 Etudes, 24 Preludes Op. 5 and Toccata Op. 40).<\/p>\n Wenting Yu\u2019s Enigma is a remarkable addition to the classical music repertoire, showcasing his ability to connect audiences to the rich heritage of French piano music while highlighting the technical and emotional depth of each composition.<\/p>\n Available for purchase<\/a><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”3″ accent_color=”#1a92af” el_class=”separateur_bleu”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n My Musical Notes – Gaby Casadesus<\/b><\/p>\n In commemoration of 25 years since her passing, we are pleased to announce the release of the first ever English translation of Mes Noces Musicales by Gaby Casadesus. Entitled My Musical Notes, this book will be available on October 15, 2024 on Amazon and other outlets.<\/p>\n Chronicling nearly a century of music, Gaby Casadesus\u2019\u00a0My Musical Notes, recounts the French pianist’s remarkable career as half of one of the most extraordinary husband and wife teams in twentieth century classical music, with her husband Robert Casadesus. Told in a lively conversational tone, she evokes the delicate balance between touring and family life, maintaining her own solo career and traveling the world while raising three children. Her decades-long teaching imparted the stylistic legacy of Debussy, Faur\u00e9 and Ravel, a personal friend to both Robert and Gaby, to generations of young pianists.<\/p>\n Translated and republished in English for the first time as My Musical Notes: Gaby Casadesus, A Journey in Classical Piano Between the World Wars and Beyond, this 2024 edition brings their legendary story to a larger audience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Available for purchase on Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”3″ accent_color=”#1a92af” el_class=”separateur_bleu”][vc_column_text]Inaugural Robert and Gaby Casadesus Prize<\/strong><\/p>\n On the occasion of Robert Casadesus’ birthday on April 7, we established a Robert and Gaby Casadesus Prize awarded each year to a piano student selected by the teachers of the Conservatoire National de Paris (CNSMDP). We are pleased to announce this new commemorative project to disseminate his compositions and at the same time salute his and Gaby’s studies at the Conservatoire where the famous duo met during the First World War. In order to be eligible, the candidate must perform a substantial work by Robert Casadesus for piano of his choice.<\/p>\n This year, the inaugural Prize will be awarded to Gaspard Thomas<\/a>, who will perform the Second Piano Sonata, Op. 31 (1941) during the audition of the class of Claire D\u00e9sert and Romano Pallottini on April 30 at the CNSMDP. Mr Thomas recently performed the Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21 by Chopin with l\u2019Orchestre des Laur\u00e9ats du Conservatoire, conducted by Lucie Leguay, in the large hall of the Cit\u00e9 de la Musique.\u00a0 The Prize will be presented to him after his performance by Ramsay Casadesus Rawson, grandson of Robert and Gaby and son of Th\u00e9r\u00e8se, who lives in the United States.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”3″ accent_color=”#1a92af” el_class=”separateur_bleu”][vc_column_text]Concert des \u00c9coles d’Art Am\u00e9ricaines – July 27, 2023, Paris<\/strong><\/p>\n During the Fontainebleau Schools\u2019 summer session, French pianist Fanny Bracco<\/a>, who was chosen as the recipient of the Casadesus grant, was featured on July 27, 2023 at the annual Fondation des Etats-Unis concert showcasing selected student participants of the session. She gave a noteworthy performance of Robert Casadesus\u2019 Suite en La pour piano, opus 52 (1956) which was very well received by the audience.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”3″ accent_color=”#1a92af” el_class=”separateur_bleu”][vc_column_text]Tribute to Robert Casadesus\u00a0 – Maslives, November 13, 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n We would like to thank l’Association Piano & Forte and the municipality of Maslives for this recital dedicated to the life of Robert Casadesus, presented by Gr\u00e9co Casadesus and performed by pianist Jean-Fran\u00e7ois Bouvery.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”3″ accent_color=”#1a92af” el_class=”separateur_bleu”][vc_column_text]Tribute to Robert Casadesus\u00a0 – Paris, November 8, 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n To continue our commemoration of 50 years since his passing, we were pleased to present pianist Jean-Fran\u00e7ois Bouvery for a tribute to the life of Robert Casadesus at the KAWAI France showroom. Here is the program:<\/a><\/p>\n First part:<\/strong> tribute to the repertoire of Robert Casadesus<\/p>\n . Barque sur l’oc\u00e9an et Alborada del grazioso (Miroirs) of Maurice Ravel<\/p>\n Second part:<\/strong> video screening of excerpts from the life of Robert Casadesus<\/p>\n Third part:<\/strong> tribute to the compositions of Robert Casadesus<\/p>\n Quatri\u00e8me Sonate, op. 56<\/a> (1957)<\/p>\n . I \u00a0Allegro impetuoso Variations d\u2019apr\u00e8s l\u2019hommage \u00e0 Debussy de M. de Falla op. 47<\/a> (1951)<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”3″ accent_color=”#1a92af” el_class=”separateur_bleu”][vc_column_text]Tribute to Robert Casadesus\u00a0 – NYC, October 9, 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n As part of our continuing commemoration of 50 years since his passing, we are pleased to present Black Oak Ensemble and pianist Wenting Yu for a tribute to the life of pianist and composer Robert Casadesus at La Maison Fran\u00e7aise<\/a> of NYU.<\/p>\n Program:<\/p>\n All works by Robert Casadesus<\/p>\n Variations d\u2019apr\u00e8s l\u2019hommage \u00e0 Debussy de M. de Falla op. 47<\/a>\u00a0Wenting Yu, piano<\/p>\n Trio, op. 25<\/a>, Black Oak Ensemble, violin, viola, cello<\/p>\n Toccata, op. 40<\/a>, Wenting Yu, piano<\/p>\n Piano Quartet, op. 30<\/a>,<\/strong> Black Oak Ensemble and Wenting Yu<\/p>\n Black Oak Ensemble is one of the most innovative and exciting chamber ensembles on the international stage. They recently released a CD “Avant l\u2019orage\u201d<\/a> featuring mid-20th century French composers, including Robert Casadesus.<\/p>\n Chinese pianist Wenting Yu is currently performing internationally. He attended the American Conservatory at Fontainebleau in 2018 where he won the Ravel Prize.<\/p>\n Open to the public<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”3″ accent_color=”#1a92af” el_class=”separateur_bleu”][vc_column_text]Radio France\/France Musique<\/span> – September 19, 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n On the occasion of 50 years since his passing on September 19, 1972, Radio France\/France Musique rebroadcast an hourlong 1969 live interview of Robert Casadesus with renowned presenter (broadcaster) Jacques Chancel. Many thanks to Radio France\/France Musique for this dedication.<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.radiofrance.fr\/francemusique\/podcasts\/les-tresors-de-france-musique\/radioscopie-avec-robert-casadesus-une-archive-de-1969-1772841<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n The following day (Sept. 20) there was an additional broadcast of the 1969 concert on the occasion of Robert Casadesus\u2019s 70th birthday, featuring him performing his own concerto for piano and orchestra as well as Mozart concerto K. 488, under the baton of Jean Martinon with the Orchestre de Paris.<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.radiofrance.fr\/francemusique\/podcasts\/les-tresors-de-france-musique\/robert-casadesus-en-concert-une-archive-de-1969-3417060<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”3″ accent_color=”#1a92af” el_class=”separateur_bleu”][vc_column_text]Opening concert of the Fontainebleau Schools of Music and Fine Arts Summer session<\/strong><\/p>\n Tribute to Robert Casadesus and Marcel Proust<\/strong><\/em> We recently commemorated 50 years since the passing of Robert Casadesus by performing 3 of his compositions. Many thanks to the musicians for their excellent interpretation !<\/p>\n Variations d\u2019apr\u00e8s l\u2019hommage \u00e0 Debussy de\u00a0M. de Falla op. 47<\/a> (1951)<\/p>\n FRE\u0301DE\u0301RIC AGUESSY, piano<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Sonate for alto and piano op. 12<\/a> (1928)<\/p>\n PIERRE- HENRI XUEREB, alto; FRE\u0301DE\u0301RIC AGUESSY, piano<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Trio N\u00b01 for violon, cello and piano op. 6<\/a>\u00a0 <\/span>(1924)<\/p>\n STE\u0301PHANIE – MARIE DEGAND, violon; DIANA LIGETI, cello; JULIEN GERNAY, piano<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n PROGRAM<\/a><\/p>\n NOTES<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”3″ accent_color=”#1a92af” el_class=”separateur_bleu”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Tribute concert to Robert Casadesus on March 1, 2022\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n The Dana Piano Trio – violinist Wendy Case, cellist Kivie Cahn-Lipman, and pianist Cicilia Yudha – performed Robert Casadesus\u2019 Trio \u00a0No. 1, opus 6 (1924), at the McDonough Museum of Art and the Dana School of Music (OH) on March 1, 2022, as part of the Muse series<\/a>.<\/p>\n Cicilia, a pianist who attended the American Conservatory at Fontainebleau in 2005 and a scholar who wrote her Ph.D dissertation<\/a> on Robert Casadesus, decided to feature this youthful work by the famous pianist and composer, as an homage commemorating the 50th anniversary of his passing.<\/p>\n Robert Casadesus on Radio France<\/strong><\/p>\n Many thanks to Lionel Esparza and Radio France for this lovely broadcast on the program Relax !<\/em><\/p>\n Episode February 9, 2022<\/a>.<\/p>\n Jean Casadesus : In memoriam (1927-1972)<\/strong><\/p>\n This week we commemorate Jean Casadesus on the 50th anniversary of his untimely passing on January 20, 1972. In addition to being the son of Robert and Gaby Casadesus, he was an accomplished classical pianist in his own right. Born in Paris, he studied primarily with his parents and made his debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Eugene Ormandy in 1947. He thereafter enjoyed success as a concert pianist and also as a piano teacher, principally at the American Conservatory <\/a>at\u00a0Fontainebleau<\/a>\u00a0<\/a>where one of his notable students was\u00a0Robert D. Levin. He also taught at SUNY Binghamton for several years. He recorded solo piano works of Emmanuel Chabrier as well as French Baroque harpsichordists, notably Fran\u00e7ois Couperin.<\/p>\n Jean and his parents were dubbed \u201cThe First Family of the Piano\u201d<\/a> for the 1967 Bell Telephone Hour<\/a> television documentary in which they performed Bach and Mozart’s concertos for 3 pianos. They recorded these works with the Columbia Symphony and Cleveland Orchestra conducted by George Szell and with the Philadelphia Orchestra under the baton of Eugene Ormandy. In 1965, at Lincoln Center in New York, he premiered with them Robert Casadesus\u2019 concerto for 3 pianos, which was recorded in 1966 and is available on the Sony Classical box set 1907583652<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”3″ accent_color=”#1a92af” el_class=”separateur_bleu”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n New Robert Casadesus website<\/strong><\/p>\n On the 50th anniversary of his passing in 1972, we are very proud to launch the redesign of the Robert Casadesus site. Here you will find everything from the old site with even more details in the texts and higher resolution photos. We have a program in 2022 to commemorate his life that we’ll be announcing soon, and this relaunch is the first part of it. Please come back for further announcements and feel free to send us<\/a> your comments and questions. Welcome!<\/p>\n – The family of Robert Casadesus.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”3″ accent_color=”#1a92af” el_class=”separateur_bleu”][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn”] The complete collection of Columbia albums recorded between 1940 et 1969. Spring 2019 A 65-CD tribute to the now-obscure French pianist Robert Casadesus highlights his broad classical repertory and reveals why he was so popular during his life.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Download the article in PDF.<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”3″ accent_color=”#1a92af” el_class=”separateur_bleu”][vc_column_text]Download the Robert Casadesus electronic press kit in PDF.<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn”][ Introduction ] – [ News ][\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_id=”intro”][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn”] In a career spanning 50 years, Robert Casadesus built up an absolutely unique cultural heritage. Discover the life of Robert Casadesus in a long or short\u00a0biography, as well as a chronological approach (\u2018Timeline\u2019). 3,000 concerts, a considerable discography, a catalogue of 69 works, films and…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2309,"parent":0,"menu_order":28,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.robertcasadesus.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6607"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.robertcasadesus.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.robertcasadesus.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.robertcasadesus.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.robertcasadesus.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6607"}],"version-history":[{"count":72,"href":"https:\/\/www.robertcasadesus.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6607\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7288,"href":"https:\/\/www.robertcasadesus.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6607\/revisions\/7288"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.robertcasadesus.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2309"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.robertcasadesus.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6607"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}News<\/h2>\n
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\n. II \u00a0Scherzo vivace
\n. III Andantino
\n. IV Giocoso, ma non troppo vivo<\/p>\n
\nSaturday, July 9, 2022
\n6:30 pm\u00a0| Chapelle de la Trinit\u00e9
\nChateau de Fontainebleau<\/p>\n
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2019<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nA 65 CD box set including many remastered recordings, most of which have never been released on CD.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nSONY CLASSICAL<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”3″ accent_color=”#1a92af” el_class=”separateur_bleu”][vc_column_text]Music Review by David Mermelstein from the April 9, 2019 edition of the Wall Street Journal :<\/p>\nCasadesus : Hard to Say, Easy to Listen To<\/strong><\/h3>\n