FRENCH-AMERICAN PIANO SOCIETY

in partnership with

THE EMBASSY OF FRANCE IN WASHIGTON D.C.

LA MAISON FRANCAISE

and

THE SAFRAN CORPORATE FOUNDATION FOR MUSIC

THE ALICE ROSNER FOUNDATION

SOFITEL WASHINGTON

present

Félicité Laîné, Piano

Tom Carré, Piano

2025 Scholarship Recipients

Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris

U.S. Debut Recital

Performing on the LVMH Steinway Piano

A Celebration of Russian and Impressionist Piano Masterpieces

FRIDAY, JULY 18 2024 at 7:30PM

LA MAISON FRANCAISE

EMBASSY OF FRANCE, WASHINGTON DC

THE YOUNG PIANISTS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The Young Pianists Scholarship Program, spearheaded by the French-American Piano Society, is a distinguished initiative aimed at nurturing the next generation of French piano virtuosos for U.S. audiences. This program offers exceptional young pianists an invaluable opportunity to advance their international presence and experience. Selected scholars from the Conservatoire National de Paris benefit from access to world-class performance venues at the Consulate of France in New York and the Embassy of France in Washington, D.C., where they are exposed to and meet curious and supportive U.S. audiences.

The National Conservatory of Music and Dance of Paris (CNSMDP)

The National Conservatory of Music and Dance of Paris (CNSMDP) is a prestigious institution, globally recognized for its excellence in training musicians, dancers, and other performing arts professionals. Founded in 1795, the Conservatory has established itself as one of the most influential schools in the arts field in France and internationally, ranking as the 3rd best performing arts school in the world according to the QS International Performing Art Ranking 2024.

Each year, the CNSMDP trains around 1,300 students through personalized and rigorous instruction, provided by a faculty composed of world-renowned artists and educators. The winners of the extremely selective admission competitions benefit from top-tier training that prepares them for brilliant careers on international stages.

The Conservatory stands out for its commitment to research, innovation, and artistic experimentation, promoting the emergence of new practices and a diversity of approaches. Its students regularly have the opportunity to perform in concerts, shows, and masterclasses, thereby enriching their experience and contributing to the cultural life of Paris and the international reputation of the institution.

Moreover, the CNSMDP plays a key role in international cooperation by establishing partnerships with other major artistic institutions around the world. A notable example of this collaboration is with the French-American Piano Society, which annually invites two CNSMDP students to perform in the United States, thereby enhancing their visibility and professional network.

The National Conservatory of Music and Dance of Paris, a true crucible of talent and innovation, combines tradition and modernity to train the artists of tomorrow. Its commitment to excellence and diversity makes it a unique place of creation, where the contours of future art are shaped. With a rich history and a promising future, the CNSMDP continues to inspire and train the artists who will mark future generations.

Trained at the Conservatories of Reims and Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, Félicité Laîné is currently studying at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris in Frank Braley's class, where she has obtained in 2024 her bachelor degree with honors. Eager to enrich her musical practice through exposure to other disciplines, Félicité is also a recent graduate with a master's degree in philosophy from the University of Reims.

She regularly participates in academies and masterclasses with renowned pianists and teachers such as Jean-Claude Vanden Eynden, Philippe Cassard, and Bernard d'Ascoli within the Piano Cantabile association. She is laureate of the 2018 Île-de-France international competition and the 2024 Virtuoses du Coeur competition, and regularly performs in solo or chamber music concerts at festivals in France and abroad. In 2023, she performed in Poland and Moldova with orchestra in Mozart and Poulenc's two-piano concertos, and in 2024, she gave a solo recital at the Cortot Hall. She is supported by the Kriegelstein Fund for the 2024/2025 academic year.

French pianist named ADAMI Classic Revelation 2023, Tom Carré “captivates with his singular voice” (Classica). His first solo disc, “Noctuelles”, recently released on the Scala Music label, features music by Ravel and Schumann. It received unanimous critical acclaim, including a “CHOC” from Classica magazine.

Revealed on the France Musique program Générations: “one of the most brilliant pianists we've heard on this program, it's prodigious” (Clément Rochefort), Tom Carré has also distinguished himself in numerous international competitions, winning 3rd Prize, the Audience Prize and three Special Prizes at the international Piano Campus competition.

Originally from Carcassonne, Tom studied at the Toulouse Conservatoire before joining Denis Pascal's class at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Paris (CNSMDP), where he brilliantly obtained his Master's degree in 2023. He has also benefited from the guidance of Cédric Tiberghien at the Académie Jaroussky, and is currently pursuing his studies at the CNSMDP in the 3rd cycle - Artist Diploma (DAI).

He is regularly invited to perform as a soloist and chamber musician at festivals such as Les Journées Ravel, Les Piano Folies du Touquet, Les Musicales de Normandie, Les Pianissimes... He has also appeared at La Scala Paris, the Auditorium de la Seine Musicale, the Opéra Comédie de Montpellier, the Kursaal de Berne, Salle Cortot…

Summer 2025 will mark his debut in the United States (New York and Washington), followed by his first appearance at the Philharmonie de Paris in February 2026. Tom is a laureate of the Fondation Banque Populaire, the Fondation l'Or du Rhin and the Fondation Safran.

PROGRAM

A Celebration of Russian and Impressionist Piano Masterpieces

We are honored to present “A Celebration of Russian and Impressionist Piano Masterpieces” —a program that invites you on a journey through some of the most evocative and imaginative works in the piano repertoire.

The evening begins with the profound emotional depth of Russian Romanticism, featuring the richly expressive préludes of Sergei Rachmaninoff and the bold, modern voice of Sergei Prokofiev.

In the second half, we turn to the luminous world of French Impressionism, where the music of Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel evokes shifting colors, fluid movement, and atmospheric beauty.

The program concludes with the spirited folk rhythms of Zoltán Kodály’s Dances of Marosszék—a vivid and joyful tribute to the musical traditions of Hungary. Each work on the program offers a distinct emotional and narrative landscape, from quiet introspection to brilliant virtuosity. This performance inspires reflection and will leave you with a lasting artistic impression.

Félicité Laîné

Tom Carré

Performing on the LVMH Steinway Piano

I. Russian Romanticism and Modernism

Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873 – 1943)
Préludes, Op. 23, Nos. 4, 5 & 6 — performed by TC
Préludes, Op. 32, Nos. 5 & 12 — performed by FL

Sergei Prokofiev (1891 – 1953)
Piano Sonata No. 4 in C minor, Op. 29 — performed by FL

II. Impressionism and Folk Dance

Claude Debussy (1862 – 1918)
L’Isle joyeuse — performed by FL

Maurice Ravel (1875 – 1937)
Une barque sur l’océan (from Miroirs) — performed by TC

Zoltán Kodály (1882 – 1967)
Dances of Marosszék — performed by TC

We are grateful to our 2023 patrons and partners:

2023-2028 YOUNG PIANISTS SCHOLARSHIPS

A post-COVID expansion of our successful scholarship program to sponsor (2023 to 2028) 10 talented young French pianists to attend U.S. based piano festivals, competitions and present their Debut Recitals in New York City and Washington D.C.

THE LVMH STEINWAY PIANO

We are deeply thankful to the generous patrons

 who helped us fund our LVMH Steinway piano and make this recital possible:

Keyboard Patrons (above $10,000)

   Antoine Simon, Sofitel New York

   Dr. Hélene and Dr. Mathieu Petitjean

   Marc-André Poirier, Crédit Agricole CIB

Anish Melwani, LVMH

Full Arpeggio Patrons ($5,000 or more)

Denis Ribon, Archimed Group

Chromatic Scale Patrons ($2,500 or more)

   The Alice Rosner Foundation

Philippe et Patricia Etienne

The Staff and Employees of the Embassy of France (D.C,)

Christian and Nora Hohenlohe

Key Patrons($1,000 or more)

   Lydia Turkie

Harald Greve

French-American Chamber of Commerce (Washington D.C.)

Dr. Mitra Dowlatshahi'

Dr. Mir Farha

Claire Mittaud

Jack and Ellette Kozak

Alexander Sash

David Thoms

Judy and Peter Blum Kovler

Thomad and Deborah Silbverstein

Annie Simonian Totah

Cedric Sage

Pierre de Lucy

Caroline Pillsbury

Tamara Haddad

Rhona Wolfe Friedman and Donald J. Friedman

Anna Katalkina and Gregory Bernstein

Kimberley Heatherington

Jean-Philippe Krukowics

Garnier Thiebaut Inc.

Theodore Pary

David Kosutic

Marie Hélène et Daniel Zavala

Michele et Lucie Wormser

Maggie Hua et Stanislas Vilgrain

Marion E. Rodgers , The Hitchcock Hoagland Foundation in honor of Ambassador Phillippe Etienne

Roxana Nikdjou-van der Mensbrugghe

Edwige Dorel Torgue

Society Members

Growing …

Code of Conduct

It is the policy of the French-American Piano Society that all attendees of Society hosted recitals, events, and associated activities are expected to exhibit respectful, and ethical behaviors.

Please review our Code of Conduct Policy here.

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