F.R. Duchâble began playing the piano at the age of four and was initially taught by his father. Until he began his studies, the violinist Joseph Calvet took over this task. In 1964, at the age of only thirteen, Duchâble went to the Paris Conservatoire and studied with Joseph Benvenuti and Madeleine Giraudeau-Basset. After only 6 months, he won first prize in piano.
In 1968 he became a finalist at the Reine-Elisabeth Competition in Brussels, and in 1969 he won a silver medal at the Long-Thibaud Competition in Paris. After his military service, he began to perform more intensively and also studied conducting with Robert Blot for a year. In 1973, he received a scholarship that helped him to launch an international career. Arthur Rubinstein became aware of him and later promoted him.
In 1980, he played Bartók's Third Piano Concerto with the Berlin Philharmonic under the baton of Herbert von Karajan. His recording of Franz Liszt's concerto paraphrases and transcriptions was awarded the national Victoires de la Musique Classique in 1995; he was named Instrumental Soloist of the Year in 1996 and 1997.
In the early 2000s, Duchâble largely withdrew from the major concert halls. From then on, he made music in private and personal settings, as well as mainly for charitable purposes.
We look forward to enjoying the performances of this special artist with you.
