Femme Fatale of French Piano: France Clidat

Classical Academy | Composers | Performers | Instruments

When french pianist France Clidat died in May 2012 at the age of 79, she left behind a legacy of some of the greatest recordings of piano music of the 20th Century. She studied at the Paris Conservertoire where she recieved first prize in piano when she was just 18 years old. She was awarded many french honours, such as the "Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres", the "Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Mérite" and the "Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur".

 

She was paticularly famous for her interpretation of the works of french composers - such as Claude Debussy, Cesar Franck and Erik Satie - but she also loved to perform and record Rachmaninoff, Grieg, Chopin and her favourite: Franz Liszt. She wrote articles about Liszt and his piano works, and performed them whenever she could - she was even dubbed "Madame Liszt" by a French reporter after a recital in Paris.

 

As well as Liszt, France Clidat was renowned and respected for her interpretations of many of the French masters. Listen to her performing works by Erik Satie on this wonderful album - he must have been one of her favourite composers, as she recorded his complete piano works! Listen out for Satie's "Je te veux" - a lovely waltz which you might well recognise!