Philharmonie de Paris: our test of the Playing with Fire VR experience with Yuja Wang

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to experience a concert from the inside, through the eyes and emotions of the artist? Playing with Fire: An Immersive Odyssey with Yuja Wang invites the audience to this unique experience, plunging them into the heart of musical creation. Presented at theCité de la Musique – Philharmonie de Parisfrom November 14, 2025, to May 4, 2026, this mixed reality installation byYuja Wang offers an unprecedented sensory immersion into the world of the famous pianist.

Designed as a truly augmented concert, the experience pushes the boundaries of classical performance by combining live recital, virtual and mixed reality, spatialized sound, visual art, and introspective narration. Visitors follow Yuja Wang's inner journey, from the silence of the wings to the fervor of the stage, carried by her thoughts, memories, and emotions.

A dialogue between the real and the virtual

At the center of this space stands a Steinway Spirio piano, both real and augmented: its keys respond to the fingers of a holographic double of Yuja Wang. Around it, spectators, equipped with VIVE Focus Vision headsets, wander freely in a changing world where fire takes a thousand forms—divine flame in Bach, revolutionary embers in Stravinsky, or poetic light in Debussy.

The experience alternates between virtual reality and mixed reality, depending on your position in space and the rhythm of the work. More than a concert, it is a sensory and narrative odyssey, enriched by the moving visuals of visual artist Gabríela Friðriksdóttir and the immersive sound work of Oscar-winning Nicolas Becker.

An inner exploration of the artist

You will attend a virtual rehearsal, observe Yuja Wang's concentration, hear her comments on the music, her thoughts, her breathing, even her heartbeat. You will enter her inner world. Each piece becomes a window onto her personal journey, from her childhood in China to her global fame.

The repertoire ranges from Bach to Prokofiev, via Chopin and Debussy, with each work chosen as a milestone of universal artistic expression. This immersive sound and visual experience is accompanied by poetic fragments and personal stories that reveal the intensity of the connection between the performer and the music.

An experience for lovers of art, music, and new technologies.

Playing with Fire is aimed at those who want to experience music in a different way: curious music lovers, digital art enthusiasts, virtual reality aficionados, and spectators in search of new emotional and sensory experiences. The experience, designed to be collective while remaining deeply intimate, is equally suited to an outing with friends, a special moment for two, or a solitary exploration.

It's also an experience for all ages and all levels of VR sensitivity: if you're not comfortable moving around with a headset on, you can remain seated in the designated areas. However, visitors are encouraged to wander around the designated space, which is very large. It's an unparalleled immersion that allows you to discover classical music in a whole new way. 

Younger visitors are also welcome, subject to the conditions of access to virtual reality. There is just one rule: do not touch the piano and do not run. Apart from that, the experience is truly fascinating in its approach to music, offering a dreamlike journey through the compositions of Debussy, Bach, Stravinsky, and Chopin.

We particularly appreciate the details of the pianist's modeling, down to the very precise movement of her fingers on the keyboard at an impressive speed... It's captivating. Yes, you can approach the piano to admire the pianist at work, but be careful: if you get too close, mixed reality takes over and you find yourself without the images of the experience. Just take a step back to return to the adventure.

Graphically speaking, artist Gabríela Friðriksdóttir's proposal is truly consistent with the music. A new world full of jellyfish, phoenixes, and other creatures opens up to you, under the very personal pencil strokes of the visual artist.

However, the experience will not be suitable for those looking for something more "traditional." Those who have difficulty with virtual reality may also not enjoy the experience to the fullest, although motion sickness is a distant memory when it comes to this type of experience.

However, the smells (yes, there are smells too, as the experience is multisensory) may bother some people, in addition to the handling of the headset and the rendering of the adventure. But nothing should stop you from trying the experience: if you have any problems, the Playing with Fire team will be happy to help or assist you. All you have to do is make up your own mind!

• To be read
• Virtual reality: our selection of VR activities in Paris and the Ile-de-France region
• The best things to do in Paris and Île-de-France from November 2 to 8, 2026

A collaborative work with multiple talents

This installation is the result of an ambitious artistic collaboration between Yuja Wang, Pierre-Alain Giraud—winner of the Best Immersive Work Award at Cannes in 2024—Gabríela Friðriksdóttir, and Nicolas Becker. Together, they have created a hybrid work where music, art, and technology merge to offer an experience that transcends the traditional codes of performance.

With Playing with Fire, the Philharmonie de Paris continues to support innovative artistic forms, in line with projects such as Versailles: The Lost Gardens of the Sun King and La Magie Opéra. An immersive experience to be discovered without delay, to feel music no longer from the outside... but from the inside.

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.