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Pascal Rogé

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Pascal Rogé, born on 6 April 1951, is a French pianist. He plays mainly the music of fellow countrymen such as Saint-Saëns, Fauré, Debussy, Ravel, Satie and Poulenc, but his repertoire also includes Haydn, Mozart, Brahms and Beethoven. His first public performance was in 1960, with Debussy's Préludes. He won the piano prize of the Paris Conservatoire and worked for years with Julius Katchen. At seventeen he gave his first recitals in major European cities and received an exclusive contract with Decca.

Music and breakthrough

Rogé has a special affinity with the French composers Debussy, Fauré, Ravel and Poulenc. He also plays chamber music, with the Pasquier Trio and with musicians such as Pierre Amoyal and Michel Portal. With Portal he recorded Poulenc and Tchaikovsky. His recordings include A Liszt Recital from 1970, Claude Debussy: Piano Works Vol 1 from 1978, 3 Gymnopédies & Other Piano Works from 1984 and After the Rain… The Soft Sounds of Erik Satie from 1995. He gives recitals all over the world and is a friend of the conductor Charles Dutoit.

Influence

For anyone seeking the link between classical and popular music, Rogé is important as an interpreter of Satie and Debussy, whose clear, colourful piano music later had a great influence on jazz pianists and pop composers. For many listeners, his recordings are a first introduction to that French piano sound.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Satie's Gymnopédie No. 1 in his recording and notice the slow, soft chords and the simple melody above them. Hear how few notes are needed to create an almost floating atmosphere.

Discography

Studio albums

Categories: Artists