La Valse

About

French pianist Matthieu Cognet is an active soloist and sought-after chamber musician whose performances have taken him to major venues and festivals across Europe, Asia, and the United States. He has appeared at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Steinway Hall, the Cultural Institute of Chicago, the Hemptinne Festival and Festival Musicorum (Belgium), the Ruhrtriennale Festival (Germany), the Rushmore Music Festival (South Dakota), Memphis in May, the Saint-Georges Music Festival (Guadeloupe), and the Prades and Pianissimes Festivals (France).

He collaborates regularly with internationally acclaimed flutist Carol Wincenc and Grammy Award–winning bandoneonist Héctor Del Curto, and was formerly a member of the CDK Trio alongside cellist Kenneth Kuo and violinist Arturo Delmoni, Concertmaster of the New York City Ballet Orchestra.

As a soloist, Mr. Cognet has appeared with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, San José Chamber Orchestra, Queer Urban Orchestra, Stony Brook University Orchestra, Indiana University Student Orchestra, and the Paris Sorbonne Orchestra. His recital and chamber performances have been broadcast on Radio France, RAI (Italy), and WFMT in Chicago.

A laureate of the Concours Musical de France, the Bloomington Travel Grant, the Stony Brook Concerto Competition, and the Forte and Entraide Française Competitions (New York City), Mr. Cognet holds degrees from the Paris and Brussels Conservatories and the University of Paris–Sorbonne, where he graduated summa cum laude. He earned his Performer Diploma at Indiana University, working extensively with legendary cellist János Starker, and completed his Doctor of Musical Arts at Stony Brook University in 2017.

In addition to his performing career, Mr. Cognet published his own solo piano arrangement of Maurice Ravel’s La Valse with Lauren Keiser Publications / Hal Leonard. He serves as Artistic Director and Masterclass Director of the French-American Piano Society and has released three critically acclaimed albums: Debut Recital, Mit Humor (Odradek Records, praised by Gramophone), and Global Saxophone.

Mr. Cognet currently serves as Staff Collaborative Pianist at The Juilliard School and as French Diction Coach at both the Curtis Institute of Music and the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia. He has also been a guest vocal coach for Opera Philadelphia, a visiting faculty member at the Manhattan School of Music, and is a Collaborative Piano Artist at the Meadowmount School of Music

Review

    ​"Even in a catalogue overloaded with excellent recordings of Schumann’s Humoreske, Cognet’s integrity, idiomatic perception and refined mastery draw you into the composer’s volatile sound world. [...] The intimate yet full-bodied sound does Cognet’s beautiful tone justice. Keep your eye on this superb pianist and intelligent musician – I know I will!"

    Jed Distler, Gramophone Magazine (Mit Humor Review)

    ​“We have many musicians in the U.S., but in my experience, few on the level of Matthieu Cognet. Someone of his enormous talent is greeted with open arms wherever he is invited to perform.” “Matthieu Cognet is, in my opinion, one of the most gifted musicians in the world today. He is without question in the top 1% of pianists performing at all levels in the United States and internationally.’’

    Philip Setzer, 9-time Grammy Award Winner, Emerson Quartet

    “In every performance he has demonstrated his complete knowledge of every kind of music from all centuries, effortlessly and thoroughly.” “His musicianship is completely informed, compelling and in short, dazzling.”

    Carol Wincenc, American Flutist, Grammy Award Nominee, The Juilliard School, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center

    “Matthieu Cognet’s abilities and achievements transcend that of the usual young musician in today’s music world, and his versatility truly sets him apart as one of the premiere artists of today.” “Matthieu Cognet is a published composer with the renowned company Hal Leonard, having published a new arrangement for solo piano of Maurice Ravel’s ‘La Valse’ […]Both this arrangement and the publishing credit are typically insurmountable feats by most of today’s musicians.”

    Spencer Myer, American Pianist, Bard College

    “An exceptional soloist, Matthieu displays complete command and mastery of a wide range of repertoire and musical styles.” “Matthieu is committed to enhancing the art form. His impressive arrangement of La Valse for solo piano was published in 2015 under the Lauren Keiser label, and draws upon the most recent study of Ravel’s manuscripts and sketches.” “Through his dedications and flexibility, he represents the ideal 21st century musician. Matthieu Cognet is an asset to the music world.”

    Anton Rist, Principal clarinet of the Metropolitan Opera

See all reviews

Repertoire

  • Piano Solo Works

    F. COUPERIN (1668-1733)

               Les baricades mistérieuses
               Le Turbulent
               Le tic-toc-choc ou les maillotins

    J. S. BACH (1685-1750)

               Preludes and Fugues (from Das Wohltemperierte Klavier): 
               First Book: No.12 (BWV 857), No.15 (BWV 860), No.23 (BWV 868)
               Second Book: No.7 (BWV 876)
               Partita No.2 in C minor BWV 826

    D. SCARLATTI (1685-1757)

               Sonata in C minor K. 11
               Sonata in C Major K. 159
               Sonata in G Major K. 471
               Sonata in E Major K. 530

    J. HAYDN (1732-1809)

               Sonata in C Major Hob XVI/50
               Sonata in E-Flat Major Hob XVI/52
               Variations in F minor Hob XVII/6

    W. A. MOZART (1756-1791)

               Sonata in D Major KV 311
               Sonata in F Major KV 332
               Sonata in B flat Major KV 333
               Fantasy in c minor KV 475

    L. v. BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)

               Sonata in D Major Op. 10 No. 3
               Sonata in C minor Op. 13
               Sonata in E-Flat Major Op. 27 No. 1
               Sonata in A-Flat Op. 110

    F. SCHUBERT (1797-1828)

               Sonata in A minor D. 784
               Sonata in B-Flat Major D. 960
               Impromptus Op. 90 Nos. 2, 4
               Impromptu Op. 142 No. 3

    F. MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)

               Charakterstück Op. 7 No. 4 in A Major

    F. CHOPIN (1810-1849)

               Etudes Op. 10 Nos. 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12
               Etudes Op. 25 Nos. 4, 8, 10, 11, 12
               Fantasia in F minor Op. 49
               Scherzos No. 2 opus 31, No. 3 Op. 39
               Nocturnes Op. 9 No.1, Op. 27 Nos. 1 & 2, Op. 48 No. 1
               Sonata No. 2 in B-Flat minor Op. 35
               Sonata No.3 in B minor Op. 58 (finale)
               Barcarolle Op. 60
               Fantaisie-impromptu Op. 66
               Andante spianato et grande polonaise brillante Op. 22

    R. SCHUMANN (1810-1856)

               Allegro Op. 8
               Fantasiestücke Op. 12
               Kinderszenen Op. 15
    ​           Arabeske Op. 18
               Humoreske Op. 20
               Sonata No. 2 in G minor Op. 22

    F. LISZT (1811-1886)

               Sonata in B minor
               Etude No.1 (“Preludio”), No.8 (“Wilde Jagd”)
               Etude “La leggierezza”
               Après une lecture de Dante
               Hungarische Rhapsodie No.6

    J. BRAHMS (1833-1897)

               Rhapsodie Op. 79 No.2
               Klavierstücke Op. 118
               Variationen über ein Thema von Händel Op. 24
               Paganini Variations (Book 2) Op. 35

    G. FAURE (1845-1924)

               Impromptu No.3

    C. DEBUSSY (1862-1918)

               Etudes: No. 3 “pour les quartes” ; No.7 “pour les degrés chromatiques”; No. 12 “pour les accords”
               Preludes: “ce qu’a vu le vent d’ouest”, “la fille aux cheveux de lin”
               Masques
               L’Isle Joyeuse

    S. RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)

               Etudes: opus 33 No. 5, Op. 39 Nos. 5, 9
               Musical Moment Op. 16 No.3
               Prelude Op. 2 No.3

    M. RAVEL (1875-1937)

               Gaspard de la Nuit
               Pavane pour une Infante défunte
               La Valse (Arr. Matthieu Cognet)

    B. BARTOK (1881-1945)

               Suite Op. 14
               Sonate (1926) Sz 80

    I. SRAVINSKY (1882-1971)

               Trois mouvements de Pétrouchka

    F. MARTIN (1890-1974)

               Prelude No. 8

    S. PROKOFIEV (1891-1953)

               Toccata opus 11
               Sonata No. 1 in F minor Op. 1
               Sonata No. 2 in D minor Op. 14
               Sonata No. 4 in C minor Op. 29
               Sonata No. 7 in B-Flat Major Op. 83

    F. POULENC (1899-1963)

               L’histoire de Babar

    O. MESSIAEN (1908-1992)

               Prelude No. 8 “un reflet dans le vent”

    W. LUTOSLAWSKI (1913-1994)

               Etude No. 1

    H. DUTILLEUX (1916-2013)

               Choral et variations (from the piano sonata)

    P. BOULEZ (1925-2016)

               First sonata (first movement)

    T. MURAIL (1947*)

    ​           La Mandragore

  • Concertos

    W. A. MOZART (1756-1791)

               Concerto in A Major No. 12 KV 414
               Concerto in D minor No. 20 KV 466
               Concerto in C Major No. 21 KV 467
               Concerto in A Major No. 23 KV 488

    L. v. BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)

               Concerto No. 1 in C Major Op. 15
               Concerto No. 5 in E flat Major Op. 73

    F. MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)

               Double Concerto for Violin, Piano and String Orchestra MWV O4

    R. SCHUMANN (1810-1856)

               Concerto in A minor Op. 54

    F. CHOPIN (1810-1849)

               Concerto No. 1 in E minor Op. 11

    F. LISZT (1811-1886)

               Concerto No. 1 in E flat Major 

    R. STRAUSS (1864-1949)

               Burleske for piano and orchestra in D minor

    S. RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)

               Concerto No 3 in D minor Op. 30   

    S. PROKOFIEV (1891-1953)
               
               Concerto No. 2 in G minor Op. 16
               Concerto No. 3 in C Major Op. 26

  • Chamber Music Works
    Two-Piano and Four-Hand Works

    J. S. BACH (1685-1750)

               Concerto in C minor BWV 1060

    W. A. MOZART (1756-1791)

               Sonata in D Major for two pianos KV 448
               Sonata in C Major KV 521
               Sonata in D Major KV 381

    R. SCHUMANN (1810-1856)

               Bilder aus Osten Op. 66

    J. BRAHMS (1833-1897)

               16 Waltzes opus 39
               Sonata in F minor Op. 34b
               Haydn Variations Op. 56b

    C. DEBUSSY(1862-1918)

               Petite suite
               Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune
               Nocturnes (Nuages and Fêtes)

    S. RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)

               6 duets Op. 11
               Fantaisie-Tableaux (Suite No.1) Op. 5
               Symphonic Dances Op. 45

    M. RAVEL (1875-1937)

               La Valse (arr. Ravel)
               Ma Mère l’Oye

    I. STRAVINSKY (1882-1971)

               The Rite of Spring (arr. Stravinsky)

    S. PROKOFIEV (1891-1953)

               Cinderella (arr. Pletnev)

    F. POULENC (1899-1963)

               Sonata for two pianos
               L’embarquement pour Cythère

    O. MESSIAEN (1908-1992)

               Visions de l’Amen

    W. LUTOSLAWSKI (1913-1994)

               Paganini Variations

  • Chamber Music Works
    Duets

    J. S. BACH (1685-1750)

               Sonata for Flute and Keyboard in B minor BWV 1030

    L. v. BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)

               Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 1 in D Major Op. 12 No. 1
               Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 2 in A Major Op. 12 No. 2
               Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 3 in E-flat Major Op. 12 No. 3
               Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 4 in A minor Op. 23
               Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 5 in F Major Op. 24
               Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 6 in A Major Op. 30 No. 1
               Sonata for Horn and Piano in F Major Op. 17
               Sonata for Cello and Piano No 1 in F Major Op. 5 No. 1
               Sonata for Cello and Piano No 2 in G minor Op. 5 No. 2
               Sonata for Cello and Piano No 3 in A Major Op. 69
               Sonata for Cello and Piano No 4 in C Major Op. 102 No. 1
               Sonata for Cello and Piano No 5 in D Major Op. 102 No. 2
               7 Variations on “Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen” for Cello and Piano WoO 46

    F. SCHUBERT (1797-1828)

               Sonata for Arpeggione and Piano in A minor D. 821

    F. MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)

               Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 2 in D Major Op. 58
               Sonata for Viola and Piano

    R. SCHUMANN (1810-1856)

               Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 1 in A minor Op. 105
               Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 2 in D minor Op. 121
               Märchenbilder for Viola and Piano Op. 113
               3 Romances for Oboe and Piano Op. 94
               Fantasiestücke Op. 73
               Adagio and Allegro Op. 70
               5 Stücke im Volkston Op. 102

    J. BRAHMS (1833-1897)

               Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 1 in G Major Op. 78
               Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 3 in D minor Op. 108
               Sonata for Cello and Piano No 1 in E minor Op. 38
               Sonata for Cello and Piano No 2 in F Major Op. 99
               Sonata for Clarinet (or Viola) and Piano No. 1 in F minor Op. 120
               Sonata for Clarinet (or Viola) and Piano No. 2 in E-Flat Major Op. 120
               Scherzo F.A.E.

    G. FAURE (1845-1924)                                                  
               Violin Sonata No. 1 in A Major Op. 13

    L. JANACEK (1854-1928)

                Pohadka for Cello and Piano
     
     
    C. DEBUSSY (1862-1918)        
                                          
               Sonata for Violin and Piano
               Sonata for Cello and Piano
     
    R. STRAUSS (1864-1949)      
                                            
               Sonata for Violin and Piano in E Flat Major

    S. RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)

               Sonata for Cello and Piano in G Minor Op. 19
     
    A. SCHÖNBERG (1874-1951)      
                                     
               Fantasy for Violin and Piano
     
    P. GAUBERT (1879-1941)   
                                               
               Sonata for Flute and Piano No. 1 in A Major

    G. ENESCU (1881-1955)

               Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 3 in A minor, Op. 25

    S. PROKOFIEV (1891-1953)

               Sonata for Flute and Piano in D Major Op. 94
               Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 1 in F minor Op. 80
               Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 2 in D Major Op. 94a
               Sonata for Cello and Piano in C Major Op. 119

    P. HINDEMITH (1895- 1963)   
                                         
               Sonata for Horn and Piano
               Sonata for Bassoon and Piano
               Sonata for Viola and Piano Op. 11 No. 4

    F. POULENC (1899-1963)

               Sonata for Flute and Piano
               Sonata for Oboe and Piano
               Sonata for Clarinet and Piano

    D. SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)  
                                     
               Cello Concerto No. 1 in E Flat Major Op. 107
               Viola Sonata Op. 147
     
    O. MESSIAEN (1908-1992)     
                                            
               Thème et Variations for Violin and Piano

    S. BARBER (1910-1981)

               Sonata for Cello and Piano in C minor Op. 6

    B. BRITTEN (1913-1976)

               Sonata for Cello and Piano Op. 65

  • Chamber Music Works
    Trios

    J. HAYDN (1732-1809)                                                   

               Piano Trio in G Major Hob. XV: 25

    W. A. MOZART (1756-1791)                                       

               Piano Trio in B Flat Major K. 502

    L. v. BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)

               Piano Trio in C minor Op. 1 No. 3 

               Trio for Piano, Clarinet and Cello in B Major Op. 11
               Piano Trio in B-Flat Major “Archduke” Op. 97

    F. SCHUBERT (1797-1828)

               Piano Trio in B-flat Major D. 898

    F. MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)

               Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor Op. 49

    R. SCHUMANN (1810-1856)

               Piano Trio in D minor Op. 67
               Märchenerzählungen (for Piano, Clarinet and Viola) Op. 132

    B. SMETANA (1824-1884)

               Piano Trio in G minor Op. 15

    J. BRAHMS (1833-1897)

               Piano Trio No. 1 in B Major Op. 8
               Trio for Piano, Clarinet and Cello in A minor Op. 114

    P. I. TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
     
               Piano Trio in A minor Op. 50

    A. DVORAK (1841-1904)

               Piano Trio No. 4 in E minor “Dumky” Op. 90

    B. MARTINU (1890-1959)

               Piano Trio No. 1 ‘Cinq Pièces brèves’

    D. SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)                                  

               Piano Trio No. 1 in C Minor Op. 8
     
    M. WEINBERG (1919-1996)

               Piano Trio Op. 24

    A. PIAZZOLLA (1921- 1962)                                       
     
               The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires. 

    G. KURTAG (1926*)

               Hommage à R.Sch. Op. 15/d

    R. PETERSON (1969*)                                        

    ​           Trio for Alto Saxophone, Flute and Piano

  • Chamber Music Works
    Quartets

    W. A. MOZART (1756-1791)

               Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor KV 478

    R. SCHUMANN (1810-1856)

               Piano Quartet in E-flat Major Op. 47

    J. BRAHMS (1833-1897)

               Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor Op. 25
               Piano Quartet No. 3 in C minor Op. 60

    O. MESSIAEN (1908-1992)                                         

               Quatuor pour la fin du Temps

  • Chamber Music Works
    Quintets

    R. SCHUMANN (1810-1856)

               Piano Quintet in E flat Major Op. 44

    J. BRAHMS (1833-1897)

               Piano Quintet in F minor Op. 34

    A. DVORAK (1841-1904)

               Piano Quintet in A Major Op. 81

    D. SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)                                

               Piano Quintet in G minor Op. 57

  • Chamber Music Works
    Sextets

    F. POULENC (1899-1963)

               Sextet for piano, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and horn

    F. MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)

              Sextet for Piano and Strings Op. 110

       Other ensembles

    B. BARTOK (1881-1945)

               Sonata for two pianos and percussion

    G. CRUMB (1929*)

               Music for a Summer Evening (Makrokosmos III) for two amplified pianos and percussion

    S. REICH (1936*)

               Music for 18 Musicians

  • Vocal Music

    R. SCHUMANN (1810-1856)

               Dichterliebe Op. 48

    J. OFFENBACH (1819-1880)                                          

               La Vie Parisienne
               Orphée aux Enfers
               Les contes d’Hoffmann

    J. BRAHMS (1833-1897)

               Liebesliederwaltzer Op. 52

    J. MASSENET (1842-1912)

               Cendrillon (Excerpts)
               Werther (Excerpts)
               Manon (Excerpts)

    G. FAURE (1845-1924)                                                  

               Mélodies (Excerpts)
     
    H. DUPARC (1848-1933)                                    
             
               Chanson triste
               La Vie antérieure
               Phidylé
               L’Invitation au voyage

    E. HUMPERDINCK (1854-1921)

               Hansel and Gretel 

    G PUCCINI (1858-1924)                           
                                                       
               Madame Butterfly (Excerpts)
    ​           La bohème (Excerpts)
     
    C. DEBUSSY (1862-1918)                                              
       
               Chansons de Bilitis
                                                                                        
    M. RAVEL (1875-1937)

               5 Mélodies populaires grecques

    F. POULENC (1899-1963)                                              

               Mélodies (excerpts)
               Les Fiançailles pour rire

    B. BRITTEN (1913-1976)

               The Turn of the Screw