Alliance Française Toronto will present Parisian pianist Maxime Zecchini in a recital on January 16. Zecchini offers an unusual concert experience in that he performs with his left hand only.
Far from a simple eccentricity or attention grabbing strategy, it’s an artistic showcase of what is possible, and it’s taken Zecchini to stages around the world.
Pianist Maxime Zecchini
A native of Paris, Maxime Zecchini’s musical journey began at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Lyon. After receiving a diploma with the highest honours, he went on to study at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris. He would later become the first French pianist to graduate from the prestigious “Incontri col Maestro” Academy in Imola, Italy. After his studies, he won a series of competitions in Italy and France, including the Forum de Normandie, and at Varenna Lake Como.
He’s performed on stages from France and Italy to Japan and China, South Africa, and Australia. His current tour with the Alliance Française network will see him perform seven concerts across Canada from Halifax to Vancouver.
Along with his career as a classical pianist, he has performed with singer Julia Migenes, and collaborated with actors Anouk Aimée, Francis Huster and Thierry Lhermitte on educational concert lectures.
Zecchini is also a composer and recording artist.
For the left hand
Maxime is known for innovative programming that explores the repertoire for left hand only. He performs works that would typically require both hands using only one.
In an interview, Zecchini said he became fascinated with the idea of performing with five fingers only after studying Ravel’s famous Pour la Main Gauche (For the Left Hand).
“The idea of playing the piano with only five fingers was an extraordinary wonder to me,” he said in an interview. “It’s also very challenging because the entire composition has to sound like I play it with both hands.”
He has recorded a 10-volume anthology of works for the left hand. The massive project on the Ad Vitam Recordings label incorporates 78 tracks by 48 composers, and three centuries of music.
For his Toronto recital, he’ll perform French repertoire from classical to musical theatre, including:
- Gabriel Fauré: Après un rêve & Clair de Lune;
- Camille Saint-Saëns: Études opus 135;
- Charles-Valentin Alkan: Grande Fantaisie opus 76;
- Jules Massenet: Méditation de Thaïs;
- Maurice Ravel: Concerto for the Left Hand (transcription);
- Justin Hurwitz: La La Land.
To perform with one hand requires relearning muscle memory, and achieving a unique sense of balance and synchronisation. It’s a singular journey to virtuosity, and as fascinating to watch as it is enjoyable to hear.
Find tickets and more details about the January 16 concert at the Spadina Theatre [HERE].
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