VS’is one of the most famous competitions in the world, so named for its founders, violinist Jacques Thibaud and pianist and pedagogue Marguerite Long. “She was above all a great pianist, Debussy was not mistaken, and Fauré either! recalls Philippe Entremont, great name of the French piano and member of the jury. Recalling work sessions with the famous pedagogue, the pianist, himself a winner of the competition in 1950, exclaimed: “She deserves that the competition that bears her name regains excellence! »
Such is indeed the hope of Gérard Bekerman, the new president of the Long-Thibaud Foundation, who announced the main lines of a redesigned piano competition for its 2022 edition. The economist and president of Afer (Association Savings and Retirement Company), who is also a high-level amateur pianist, displays his ambition: “It is a question of nothing less than reconnecting with the past and making the Long-Thibaud international competition a world reference. A way of acknowledging that this international competition had lost its luster in recent years, even though true legends had been born there over the years – Samson François and Brigitte Engerer on the piano side and Ivry Gitlis, Olivier Charlier and Laurent Korcia for the violin.
Back to basics
“When Aldo Ciccolini entered the competition in 1949, he was totally unknown, said Marguerite Long in 1954. He was a small young man with his little black velvet jacket who was charming and who did not speak a word of French. . He came out triumphant with his prize, and eight days later he was giving a concert at the Salle Gaveau, there was all of Paris. There, I was really rewarded with the trouble given by the competition, because the goal was achieved. »
Each year, around a hundred candidates from 40 countries arrive in Paris to compete for the Long-Thibaud: the musicians stay with host families and pass the various tests until a final where six pianists must decide between themselves. The event will take place on Sunday November 13 at the Théâtre du Châtelet. With big names like Bruno Leonardo Gelber, François-René Duchâble and Nicholas Angelich on the jury, the Long-Thibaud competition returns to the great fundamentals recommended by the founder. Thus, the candidates qualify by playing four compulsory works – a sonata by Chopin, the Toccata by Ravel or Debussy, as well as pieces by Poulenc, Couperin or Rameau. For the final, they will have the choice in particular between concertos by Chopin, Mozart, Beethoven, Ravel or Fauré.
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“How fortunate, said Debussy about Marguerite Long, to have an interpreter who, when I am no longer there, will play my music according to my intentions and my desires. » Supreme compliment… and a beautiful horizon to reach for the candidates of the 2022 edition.