His concerts have been sold out for months, his music is making the heyday of streaming platforms and his reputation has already crossed borders: Lille pianist Sofiane Pamart, 31, gave his second recital in eight days at Salle Pleyel on Friday February 18. His first tour, which will take him until the end of 2022 to the four corners of France but also everywhere in Europe, will not return to Paris until the end of the year, with a stopover on November 17 in Bercy just for him, a first for a soloist.
Sofiane Pamart, whom we presented to you in September, is not a pianist like the others. Graduated with a gold medal from the Lille conservatory at the age of 23, this virtuoso has since collaborated with a number of rappers, from Vald to JoeyStarr, SCH and Scylla. But it’s with his first solo album Planet (2019, then expanded edition Planet Gold in 2021), in which each track was named following a city, Havana, Seoul or Chicago, which he made known to the general public, his neo-classical style bewitching listeners with disconcerting ease.
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Straddling several worlds – classical/film music, classical/rap – whose boundaries he very skillfully blurs, this manga-loving non-conformist also cultivates a unique look, between jewelry made from the teeth of rappers and elegant Japanese silk bathrobes. For his first real tour, the self-proclaimed “piano king” might not present himself like any soloist, in an ordinary one-on-one with his grand piano. For the occasion, this inveterate globetrotter wanted to take his audience on a journey. And if possible with panache. What is translated here by a good effort on the scenography, made of beautiful graphic games of light, surmounted by the face (his?) which adorns the cover of his new album, radiating like a sun above the stage.
His second album, released a few days ago (February 11), is called Letter because he who keeps saying on social networks that he lives “a daydream” designed this record as a love letter to his audience. The 18 tracks of the album put end to end indeed form a letter: Dear Public, Your Love Saved Me From Solitude Forever. Sincerely, Sofiane P.S. : I Wrote This Album In Asia. (Dear Audience, Your Love Saved Me From Loneliness Forever. Sincerely, Sofiane. PS: I Wrote This Album In Asia). With the sense of detail that characterizes him, the musician had taken care to slip this declaration on the back of each armchair at Pleyel, as a personal attention (accompanied all the same on the back by a QR code referring to the purchase site of album).
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After a prelude where almost disturbing choruses inhabit the blue-shrouded stage, Sofiane Pamart, in a long black coat over a sparkling shirt, makes her entrance with a certain solemnity to applause. We will not once hear the sound of his voice. Instead, an artificial female voice will punctually guide us through this musical odyssey.”around the planet“, from the Sahara to the North Pole, while sound rumors, of Asian street or Latin rhythms, will come to precede and inform certain titles. Too bad. Because if we were not expecting a piano show as funny and talkative as that of Chilly Gonzales , a little interaction and surprises would not have been too much for the one who has vowed to become “popular“.
Fortunately, our musician is expressive, in his romantico-melancholic compositions as in his playing, for which he raises his ultra-quick velvet hands high and gracefully. The concert will mix for more than an hour the titles of his first two albums, the traveling hits of the first that are Paris, Sahara, Havana Where Sicilyand the ticklish plexus trills of the second that are Me, LoveDear or Solitude. We are moved, subjugated, transported. Sometimes, more than at the other end of the world, we are surprised to believe ourselves for a moment at Chopin, Glenn Gould or Debussy.
His sister Lina Pamart, also a remarkable musician (what a family!) comes to accompany him with her moving violin on two titles, including Sincerely. The star of the evening then gracefully steps aside to let her sister shine, whose vibrant bow gives the shivers. Appreciated, public standing, Sofiane will return twice to the recall. We now wonder what rabbit the magician will pull out of his hat at Bercy in November, which he promises as “a big meeting” different from his two dates at Pleyel. Only one thing is certain: thedaydream“He says he’s been living for the past few months is just beginning.
Sofiane Pamart continues her tour: February 24 in Nice (with Philharmonic Orchestra), March 3 in Toulouse, March 6 in Mulhouse, March 11 in Montpellier, March 16 in Luxembourg, March 18 in Nancy, March 26 In Lyon ….
