One returns from Aix-en-Provence, the other leaves tomorrow for Avignon, the third in Turin. A life as a professional musician at the hotel, always between two cities, between two recitals. But there, in Paris, passing through ” at home “ for a few hours, the three virtuosos “debrief” with friends in a Basque restaurant.
Liya Petrova, Aurélien Pascal and Alexandre Kantorow, 33, 28 and 25 respectively, also took the time to rehearse the three Piano Trio No. 2, Op. 67, by Shostakovich, that they are to give Salle Cortot, in Paris, on May 23. A rare opportunity to see the three of them play together, like setting their friendship to music, as part of La Musikfest, a festival of which Liya Petrova is the artistic director.
In the hushed and well-groomed milieu of classical music, which the general public sometimes perceives as a microcosm of all-consuming ambitions and bloody rivalries (the film Tar, released in January, depicted a condensed version of toxicity), the trio share a friendly core sheltered from pettiness.
“A competitive environment ? It all depends on the personalities. they relativize, emphasizing that they each have expertise in different instruments: the piano for Alexandre Kantorow, the violin for Liya Petrova, the cello for Aurélien Pascal. Exchanging text messages, listening to models for the next album of one or the other, asking for advice… “It’s precious to have relatives with whom to experience this profession”, Liya Petrova smiled.
Between Beethoven and “Mario Kart”
All three children of musicians, “having naturally integrated the scores as a mother tongue”, says Aurélien Pascal, began their collaboration with the Piano Trio No. 1, by Beethoven – it was in May 2020, between two confinements spent multiplying the parts of Mario Kart. “We were talking and laughing already in life: it was obvious that between us, musically, it was going to match too”, they assure. They evolve today in the very closed world of chamber music virtuosos, coveted and rewarded.
1er March, in Dijon, during the Victoires de la Musique Classique ceremony, Aurélien Pascal won the revelation prize in the instrumental soloist category, and it was… Alexandre Kantorow who presented him with the trophy, before leaving to dance and toast until dawn, accompanied by their sidekick Liya. Alexandre Kantorow, he bluffed the world of classical music by winning, in June 2019, at only 22 years old, the Grand Prix of the Tchaikovsky competition – a unique case for a Frenchman.
You have 49.76% of this article left to read. The following is for subscribers only.