Vincent Balse

Vincent Sangaré Balse is a French pianist, born in Angers, France on April 18, 1981.

Biography

Originally from Bordeaux (South of France), Vincent Balse made his debut at the age of eight and becomes a young award-winner of several competitions, like the International competition of Arcachon and the one of Paris. He performed on numerous french scenes, as well as in the biggest french halls, such as the Théâtre des Champs Elysées, the Salle Pleyel, and also in the magnificent Grand Théâtre of Bordeaux. For more than ten years, his performances took him around the globe, with concerts in Soweto, Tel-Aviv and in Alaska.

There was a decisive meeting in Vincent Balse's life. During a tour in Europe, he met an eminent American producer, Hezekiah Brinson Jr: "Watching and listening to him perform, I felt as if I had suddenly discovered a diamond in the rough..."

In 2000 Vincent made his first appearance in North America, in New Orleans, the beginning of a long story with this city. He appeared on many occasions in the cultural local life. Solicited by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra for several concerts in the famous "Orpheum Theatre", he found success and was unanimously received by the press and the public. Vincent Balse received the highest distinction of the city from the hands of the mayor for his implication in the community. He recorded immediately afterward his first solo album and was brought to perform throughout the American territory.

He has performed with Violinist Maxim Vengerov, the Fine Arts Quartet and the Maestro Rostropovich.

Vincent officiated at the Luzenne Music Center in New York and for five years at the Rencontres Musicales Internationales des Graves as well as the Université Musicale d'Hourtin.

Pianist from a very young age, Vincent Balse was formed by Zoya Zorin. He graduated from the Conservatory of Bordeaux where he obtained a gold medal with the congratulations of the jury as well as a first prize in chamber music. He also graduated from the academy of Sienne in Italy, "La Chiagiana". In 2003, It's with a first prize in piano and chamber music that he graduated from the Conservatory National Superior of Music of Paris after studying with Nicholas Angelich, Christian Ivaldi and Alain Meunier. He then launched himself into composition and orchestral conducting. In 2004, he moved to New York to perfect himself at the Juilliard School of Music where he graduated with a Master's degree obtained in the piano studio of Jerome Lowenthal.

For a few years, Vincent shares his life between Paris and New York and exports his art throughout the world with overflowing energy.

Recently he performed at the 1 in Paris for their BAzz jazz and classic music evenings.

Discography

Spring Forth

2002, Vincent Balse, solo piano

  • Mozart, Sonate en Ut Majeur KV 330
  1. Allegro Moderato
  2. Andante
  • Debussy, Allegretto, Images (1er livre)
  1. Reflets dans l’eau
  2. Hommage à Rameau
  3. Mouvement
  • Tchaïkovsky
  1. Doumka

La Ventana

2003

  1. Filo
  2. La Ventana
  3. Caida libre
  4. Tentempié
  5. No empujén
  6. Huida Argentina
  7. Milonga final
  8. Chuchís caminando
  9. Fotos Viejas
  10. Calle Superí
  11. Astor está contento
  12. Quebraron

La Escapada

2004, Vincent Balse, piano, Julien Petit, saxophone

  • De Falla: Danse Espagnole (from La Vida Breve)
  • De Falla: Suite Populaire Espagnole
  1. El Paño Moruno
  2. Nana
  3. Cancion
  4. Polo
  5. Asturiana
  6. Jota
  • Villa-Lobos: Fantaisie
  1. Animato
  2. Lento
  3. Très aminé
  • Albéniz: Suite Espagnole
  1. Granada
  2. Sevilla
  3. Asturias
  4. Canción Catalan
  • Fernando Millet
  1. La Escapada
  2. Casí
  3. El Clavo
  4. Seiza

Fantasy

2007, Vincent Balse, piano, Susanne Hou, violin

  1. Schubert Fantasia
  2. Sarasate Faust Fantasy, after Gounod’s Faust
  3. Schubert Ave Maria, Sarasate Faust Fantasy, after Gounod’s Faust

French Touch

2008, Vincent Balse, piano, Max Zorin, violin

  • Poulenc: Sonate pour violon et piano
  1. Allegro Con Fuoco
  2. Intermezzo (Très Lent Et Calme)
  3. Presto Tragico
  • Ravel: Sonate pour piano et violon
  1. Allegretto (Andante)
  2. Blues
  3. Perpetuum Mobile
  • Saint-Saëns
  1. Dance Macabre
  • Ravel
  1. Tzigane
  • Massenet
  1. Méditation

You can never have too many suites

2008, Vincent Balse, piano, Susanne Hou, violin

  • De Falla: Suite Populaire Espagnole
  1. El Paño Moruno
  2. Nana
  3. Cancion
  4. Polo
  5. Asturiana
  6. Jota
  • Chostakovich: Four Preludes, op 34
  1. Prelude No.10: moderato non troppo
  2. Prelude No.15: allegretto
  3. Prelude No.16: andantino
  4. Prelude No.24: allegretto
  • Fritz Kreisler
  1. Liebesfreud,
  2. Schön Rosmarin
  3. Syncopation
  • Yang Wong Luo Bin: Suite of Folksongs & Dances
  1. Rising of a Half-Moo
  2. Gift of a Rose
  3. From a Distant Land
  4. Carriage Wheels
  5. Ma Yi La - 1’00
  • Tang
  1. New Face of my Motherland
  • Li Ci
  1. Li Flower

Awards

  • Florence Gould Foundation
  • Natixis Banque Populaire Foundation
  • Rotary Club Foundation, Ambassadorial Scholar
  • Meyer Foundation
  • Special award from the Adami
  • French government, Lavoisier Scholar
  • Honors from New Orleans Mayor
  • First Prize and Fazzioli Prize at the International Piano Competition of Arcachon
  • First Prize at the International Piano Competition of Paris
  • Second Prize at the International Piano Competition Emile Naoumoff
  • First Prize at the La Teste Piano Competition, junior division

See Also

Sandrine Erdely-Sayo

Sandrine Erdely-Sayo, born October 11, 1968, in Perpignan, France, is a Jewish French-American...