The Early Romantics: concerts on period pianos at the Château de Malmaison

Listening to an antique piano in the dining room of Château de Malmaison: this is the guiding thread of Les Premiers Romantiques, the concert season presented by La Nouvelle Athènes in partnership with the national museum. The performers bring to life historical instruments and repertoires that circulated between salons, the stage and everyday life.

The 1806 Érard square piano, restored by the association, features in several programmes. Its tone offers a different way to approach a sonata or a romance, in a setting that directly connects music and heritage. Depending on the concert, it accompanies both flute and voice.

From Romantic flute music to songs by Zaho de Sagazan

Flutist Vincent Canciello and pianist Danilo Mascetti explore works by Devienne, Mozart, Dussek, Jadin and Donizetti, among others. Their program traces the evolution of the dialogue between the two instruments, from the 18th century to the early Romantic period.

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Another event brings together soprano Anaïs de Faria and pianist Ayano Kamei. Romances by Hortense de Beauharnais sit alongside songs by Anne Sylvestre, Michel Legrand, Clara Ysé, Pomme, Juliette Armanet and Zaho de Sagazan, performed by the duo. It’s a way of bringing vocal styles from different eras closer together.

Instruments to rediscover

The season also offers the chance to hear Luca Montebugnoli give the inaugural performance on an 1814 Érard grand piano restored by Ad Libitum. The program features Dussek, Hélène de Montgeroult, Hérold and Steibelt. This new instrument thus rounds out the exploration of early 19th-century sounds at Malmaison.

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