Jean-Yves Thibaudet facts for kids

Jean-Yves Thibaudet (born 7 September 1961) is a famous French pianist. He is known for his amazing skill and for playing many different kinds of music. He has performed all over the world with top orchestras and has made over 50 recordings.

Becoming a Musician: Early Life and Training

Jean-Yves Thibaudet was born in Lyon, France, in 1961. His parents loved music, even though they were not professional musicians. His father played the violin. His mother, who was from Germany, was a good pianist and taught him about the instrument.

Thibaudet started studying piano at the Conservatoire de Lyon when he was just five years old. He played his first public concert at age seven. By the time he was twelve, he won a gold medal at the Conservatoire.

Later, he went to the famous Conservatoire de Paris. There, he learned from great teachers like Aldo Ciccolini and Lucette Descaves. At fifteen, he won the Premier Prix du Conservatoire. When he was eighteen, he won the Young Concert Artists Auditions in New York. This helped him start his career.

A Global Performer: Jean-Yves Thibaudet's Career

Jean-Yves Thibaudet has played with many of the world's best orchestras. These include the Berlin Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, and New York Philharmonic. He has also performed in major concert halls across Europe, North America, and Asia.

In 2010, he was honored by being added to the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame. This is a special award for artists who have made a big impact.

Thibaudet was also the first-ever Artist-in-Residence for several groups. These include the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. This means he worked closely with them for a period of time.

He has worked with many other famous musicians. These include singers like Renée Fleming and Cecilia Bartoli. He has also played with violinists such as Joshua Bell and Midori. Cellists like Truls Mørk have also joined him on stage.

A famous pianist named Vladimir Horowitz once praised Thibaudet's playing. Horowitz said, "It was amazing, such dexterity, such technique, such articulation, such command." This shows how talented Thibaudet is.

Making Music: Jean-Yves Thibaudet's Recordings

Jean-Yves Thibaudet has made more than 50 recordings. Most of these were for the British music company Decca Records. He recorded all of Erik Satie's piano music in a special collection. This was released on Satie's 150th birthday.

Thibaudet is very well known for playing French classical music. But he also explores other styles, like jazz. He recorded two CDs with jazz music: Conversations with Bill Evans (1997) and Reflections on Duke (1999).

He is also famous for recording piano versions of opera music. In 1993, he recorded pieces from operas by Franz Liszt and Busoni. In 2007, he released a CD called Aria: Opera Without Words. On this album, he played his favorite opera songs and overtures on the piano.

Thibaudet has recorded music by many other famous composers too. These include Brahms, Chopin, Debussy, and Ravel.

You can also hear Thibaudet's piano playing in several movies. His music is featured in films like The Portrait of a Lady, Pride & Prejudice, and Atonement. The music for Atonement even won an Academy Award for Best Original Score.

Life Outside the Concert Hall

Jean-Yves Thibaudet has homes in Los Angeles and Paris.

His concert clothes were designed by the famous fashion designer Vivienne Westwood. He first asked her to create an outfit for him in 2002. They became good friends and worked together until her death. Their last project was a special record of Debussy's Préludes, with designs by Westwood.

In 2001, Thibaudet received a special award from France called Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. This award recognizes people who have contributed a lot to arts and literature. In 2012, he was given an even higher rank, Officier, for his continued work.

See also

In Spanish: Jean-Yves Thibaudet para niños