Bertrand Coynault pianist
The intimate relationship between Frédéric Chopin and George Sand is one of the most interesting love stories of the 19th century. The testimony of their eight years together has come down to us through their correspondence, but also through the novelist's autobiographical writings (Histoire de ma vie, Un hiver à Majorque).
The two artists, enlightened witnesses of their time, draw their inspiration from everyday episodes: sometimes funny, sometimes extravagant, often dramatic, they give us a realistic vision of their century.
This concert-reading highlights the winter of 1838-1839, the period during which George Sand, her children, and Chopin embarked for Majorca. It was here that the novelist wrote Spiridion and Frédéric Chopin composed most of his 24 Preludes, Op. 28.
The music of Frédéric Chopin and the writings of George Sand intertwine, allowing the listener to relive the chronology of an epic journey to the depths of 19th-century Europe.
"Chopin - Sand, a Winter in Majorca," based on the work of George Sand, is a musical and theatrical adventure, a look at the genius of two extraordinary people.
Duration: 1h15
Chopin - Sand, "A Winter in Majorca"
based on the work of G. Sand
"Une mise en scène surprenante et novatrice !"
La musique répondant aux mots, les mots accompagnant les mélodies, une complémentarité fabuleuse et peu commune, le fruit de la rencontre de deux prodiges dans leurs arts respectifs, émouvant et poignant, mais aussi léger et réaliste.
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Le Courrier Cauchois, le 20 Novembre 2015
« Une soirée magique ! »
Le Réveil de Berck, le 22 Octobre 2014
« Un excellent spectacle avec de formidables Bertrand Coynault et Vannick Le Poulain ! »
Vincent Schneider - France bleu. Octobre 2016
« Joli moment passé au théâtre accompagné de Chopin sur les textes de Georges ... Nous avons vraiment apprécié le spectacle et l'audace de la performance»
Thibaut Rysman - France 3. Octobre 2016
« Simplement magnifique »
Avis de spectateur, billetreduc octobre 2016
Envoûtée par la musique et captivée par le récit. Il faut s'attendre à recevoir de cette rencontre avec Chopin et Sand de l'émotion, beaucoup de tendresse et d'humour également. Le temps semblait s'être figé, n'existait plus que Vannick Le Poulain et Bertrand Coynault, leurs arts et leurs talents.
Philippe Olivier - musicologist.
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
A very pleasant listen to the latest CD by French pianist Bertrand Coynault, entitled "A Winter in Majorca". It intertwines excerpts from the famous text by George Sand - "A Winter in Majorca" - spoken by Vannick Le Poulain and the twenty-four "Preludes" opus 28 by Chopin to which is added the "Nocturne" opus 48 n°1. This CD is, in truth, the studio version of the show presented here and there by Bertrand Coynault with his actress partner.
Based in Picardy, Bertrand Coynault is part of a new generation of performers who understand the particularities of our time. He knows, on the one hand, that the hoped-for conquest of a new audience for classical music requires forms other than the recital, a venerable institution invented by Liszt and almost two centuries old. He is also aware that the world of recording is in a clear crisis. Hence the ingenuity with which he led the production of this CD. The city of Abbeville, a locality in the Somme department, was involved. As were internet users who contributed. Young artists are therefore taking matters into their own hands. They know that the cultural negligence of the State and the appalling economic liberalism prevailing are not their friends.
I had heard about Bertrand Coynault through various sources. I met him in July 2015 at a concert he gave in Lafrançaise, a town in Tarn-et-Garonne where my dear friend Thierry Kerebel launched a festival. It turns out that Bertrand Coynault, a young man full of humor, vital joy, and artistic vigor, is a disciple of Elena Varvarova. This artist had fled the USSR in 1975 with Mikhail Rudy. Hunted by the KGB, the two were hiding in a Parisian apartment where I visited them. I had met them through Jean-Pierre Delavigne, then director of the Jeunesses Musicales de France. The link with Varvarova was symbolically reestablished thanks to Bertrand Coynault.
