Thierry de Brunhoff plays Chopin -- Complete Nocturnes

I had the great honor and privilege of studying with Thierry de Brunhoff when I was a young student in Paris in the mid-1970s. I would go for my lessons on his "pacquebot" near Neuilly-sur-Seine. I AM SO GRATEFUL for those days. Such wonderful memories that sustain me now.... Touched by greatness that is so inspiring.... I am glad that this CD has been uploaded for the World to be touched by Chopin and this great interpreter of that Music.... Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

I am starting back playing now - 78 years young - I had let my grandchildren have my piano but their interests lay elsewhere now. It is such a delight to learn to play again - mistakes and all. It lifts my soul as does this beautiful music! Thank you!

“Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going?” ----- Tennessee Williams.

Very sensitive. I like it better than many other more famous pianists now. Limpid. Great touch.

Thierry de Brunhoff was and remains the greatest Chopin interpreter of all times. He doesn't bring bold rubatos as all other pianists do. This make him 'swinging'. He never overlooks the dance, always behind the scene with Chopin. For infos, he gave up very soon, in the 80's, being a professional pianist to become a monk. Maybe he's reading our lines right now. I studied the harmony at Paris with Loïc Malié, who was a friend of him. One day, in the classroom, we were talking about great pianists. Horowitz was about coming to play in Paris. Loïc was quite laudatory about him. He asked me my opinion. I was 20, cheeky and answered : - I dont like him. At all. He really doesn't know how to play Chopin ! - what ? Horowitz ? Not knowing play Chopin ? But what do you know about piano Laurent ? You're a tiny little presumptuous musician that says anything, Horowitz is the greatest living pianist ! At this point I had some pain not crying. My heart was beating so strong. Loïc Malié had been a Messiaen student. It was one life's shame. - sorry Sir, but I dont like him... - but who do you like then ? - er... I dont know if you know him, he's almost unknown with respect to Horowitz... He's called Thierry de Bruhnoff... I think I bent the head, ready for another 'slap' (Loïc was a lovely, funny, friendly person, generous, available) - ah, Laurent, I agree with you Thierry de Brunhoff is Chopin reborn... Gosh ! The bullet just passed close to me !

Chopin is my go to when i need peace and joy...i'm still able to play his music at 78 ... His music will live in our hearts forever..

In the mid-1960s de Brunhoff was involved in a serious car accident, which adversely affected his concert career, so he began to focus on teaching.

My father played Chopin into his 80s and inspired our love for him and piano music. RIP Dad.

Thierry is the youngest son of Jean and Cécile de Brunhoff, creators of Babar, King of the Elephants. Cécile was also a classically trained pianist. What a fascinating household that must have been.

I didn't know who Chopin was until I start listening to Jazz and then Classical. I can listen to Poison, Tupac and then Chopin and appreciate all music. I like different languages in music also. Like Jazz in French is so natural. It was Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans and Ahmad Jamal who led me to Chopin, Beethoven and Mozart. Warren Zevon "Werewolves of London". PERFECT!

I never heard of this pianist but his first notes filled me with a sorrow I had not known I felt. If he did become a monk, I could understand it. He has great sensitivity.

To give up your career and all the splendour, that comes with it, to serve your soul, that's what I call humbleness AND grandeur.

First time I heard Thierry de Brunhoff. He interprets Chopin's music perfectly, as if Chopin is playing through him! Thank You, God, for this pianist..and for Chopin

I don’t think he would care if he was playing for one person or a thousand. Or no one at all. He’s in his own world. The nuance. Elegantly beautiful. Thank you for posting.

Discovering Thierry de Brunhoff is like coming upon a rare and beautiful flower. His soul and the soul of Chopin merge as two streams joining to form a river. His beautiful sounds full of poetry, nobility, eloquence, and passion weave a magical web which one is drawn into and consumed by. I hope he is aware of the appreciation of so many listeners. I can only say thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Listening to Thierry de Brunhoff's rendition has allowed me to hear and appreciate Chopin's nocturnes like no other pianists have done before. There's beauty and purpose with every phrase, indeed every note, he plays. There's no forced drama by the pianist, but rather the listener is invited into his world or more precisely his heart. This is a gift of music, and through his music, communion with others. In that sense, listening to Brunhoff for me is more than a musical experience; it's also a spiritual one.

"Piano is Chopin. He was the one who best understood the possibilities of singing and the sound universe of the piano", said Thierry de Brunhoff (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thierry_de_Brunhoff)

I have been listening to lots and lots and lots of Chopin, with different pianists, I mean really a lot. But never have I heard such a unique interpretation. So calm, deep, nocturnal I'd say. Perhaps the religious aspect has influenced his musical approach. What a surprise!

From music to meditation... it makes a lot of sense. This man knows.

His interpretation moves me in a way I've only experienced when I heard Chopin for the first time as a child. No pianist has done this since.