PIANO POP

PIANO POP stops at the Folies Bergère in Paris on April 8, 2026. At the center of the evening, Tony Ann, a Canadian pianist and composer, blends classical rigor with pop instincts, offering clear themes and precise writing. He was heard in 2025 alongside Lang Lang on Piano Book 2, in a four‑hand performance of his piece “Icarus.” On stage he is joined by ARKAI, a violin/cello duo that extends the piano into broader textures and dynamics tailored for the live setting, ranging from delicate counter-melodies to taut pulses.

As an opening act, the April 8 date highlights Jamie Duffy and Van, two figures of the new wave of neo-classical music. The former works with repetitive motifs and gradual builds, while the latter favors a pared-down approach attentive to breathing and timbre. Together they frame a travelling festival devoted to today’s piano, where melody remains at the forefront without relinquishing compositional rigor. This Parisian stop bridges recital and instrumental pop, carried by artists for whom the piano is a contemporary playground.