CANDLELIGHT FEVER – OPEN-AIR CHOPIN CONCERT

A dose of arts and culture in the open air is just what every summer night needs, and if you’re really lucky, you might just get the Swiss wine country and dozens of well-lit candles thrown in for good measure.

ONGOING CANDELIGHT CONCERT SERIES IN GENEVA

On the last Thursday in July, I attended a piano recital in Satigny, at the Domaine des Bossons for an evening of what was titled, ‘Chopin Piano Solo à la lueur des bougies’. Thankfully, there hadn’t been much rain that day and so, this cool summer’s evening was off to a great start.

If the location and the view of the vineyards against the silhouette of the Jura didn’t take one’s breath away, the entertainment that followed sure did. Pianist and composer, Franck Laurent-Grandpré, took centre stage amidst a sea of glowing candles and captivated us all at the first note. We were guided through the movements of Frédéric Chopin’s greatest works, and his lesser-known ones too, with a pause now and again to hear tales of his inspiration for each musical masterpiece and a bit more of his life from Warsaw to Paris.

To make sure everyone was fully immersed in the experience, the taking of photos and videos was discouraged, which explains my lack of pictures and evidence to share here. But this suggestion was probably for the best. It didn’t take much to become fully absorbed in the performance. I found it hard not to sway from side to side, hold my breath here and there, or simply smile as the tunes played on.

AN EVENING OF PURE POETRY

After he received the longest applause I have heard in a while, twice at that, Laurent-Grandpré then played one of his own compositions to end the night, and yet another seemingly endless applause ensued! A sincere expression of gratitude for his performance and for sharing his love of music, piano and Chopin so selflessly with the audience.

Overall, the evening was a peaceful one of pure poetry. A perfect combination of splendour and simplicity, pleasant in every way, letting nature and art make hopeless romantics of us all. If it is true that Chopin once said ‘It is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art’ then without a doubt, the evening with all its elements, was a great reward.

The series of arts and culture ‘à la bougie’ is far from over! The evening was hosted by, and through, ‘FEVER’ – an app that helps you discover the best events in your city. More candlelight events are scheduled to take place in the coming months in Geneva. From ballet performances to classical string quartets and even a tribute to the legendary Daft Punk, these are just a few of the spectacles planned within the city. The next event is scheduled to take place on 24 August 2021 at the Four Seasons Hôtel des Bergues.(DISCLAIMER: dates and events subject to change by the organiser).

Visit the FEVER webpage or download the app for more on the Candlelight/A la bougie events series and much more happening right here in Geneva.

Find out about pianist Franck Laurent-Grandpré – @feverflg (Instagram)

Find out more about our contributor Simiso and her favourite places in Geneva in her interview for our Expat of the Month!