Paul Faure (an artist from Laval) on the harpsichord and piano, and Youenn le Berre, flutist (first prize from the conservatory), in concert at the Château de Bourgon on June 10, 2011.
Paul Faure: After studying classical piano in Paris until the age of 16, Paul Faure quickly veered off onto less conventional musical paths. Upon arriving in Laval in 1963, he took the regional stage by storm as a member of the legendary bands of the era: the Sparks and the Shouters.
Later, with Gwendal (a multiple Gold Record winner in Spain). In 1979, he helped found the Laval National School of Music as the director of the jazz workshops. At the same time, he developed his own school (which grew to 200 students), using his own teaching methods.
For the past few years, Paul Faure has been focusing on personal projects: recording the CDs *Sources* in 1996, *Pianomade* in 1999, *Jazzargent* in 2003, and “F’âme” in 2006, all of which were well received by the press and aired on FIP and Radio Jazz.
At the same time, Paul Faure performs with several improvised music trios under the name “Paul Faure Trio.” This does not prevent him from passionately leading master classes in Châlon-sur-Saône, Dax, La Flèche, Lannion, Fougères, Loiron, Bonchamp-les-Laval, Changé, and St. Céré.
Youenn le Berre: In the fall of 1972, Jean Marie Renard and Youenn le Berre (first-prize winner in flute at the Brest Conservatory) co-founded Gwendal, a group specializing in Breton and Irish music… They use a wide variety of instruments.
Gwendal demonstrates tremendous diversity in his performances, compositions, and arrangements, enriching his sound with new elements on every album. In 1974, Gwendal released *Irish Jig*, his debut album, on the Pathé Marconi label. 1997 was a year of artistic recognition for Gwendal, as the band earned a gold record in Spain. In 2005, with a partially revamped lineup, the band made a strong comeback on the Breton music scene with a new album released by Sony: *War Raog*
- Acknowledgments from the Artists : Your “letter” really touched us …we felt as though we were in “harmony” with the audience and the “spirit” of the castle
- …and also between Youenn and me…we met up again (we’ve known each other for about thirty years)
- to put together the concert program, and that alone was a great moment… I’m very happy that my piano parts (and Youenn Leberre’s flute parts) came together
- to settle in… “at your place.” I hope we’ll find a good opportunity to see each other again—it would be a great pleasure.
I’m thinking of the two children who seem to be feeling the harmony all around them…! A big thank you from Youenn and me for your warm welcome. Best regards,