Now a master in a technique of adaptation and improvisation the likes of which the world has never seen before, Jacques Loussier accepted a new challenge and gave his own personal interpretation of Vivaldi's masterpiece, "The Four Seasons". The success he encountered at the Salle Pleyel in Paris and during his many tours prompted him to explore musical territory that he had always found fascinating : French music from the beginning of the 20th century. He adapted Erik Satie's Gymnopédies, then turned his attention to Ravel's Bolero, to which he added a suite of short impressionist pieces "Les Nymphéas". (CD Télarc 83466) Lastly in 2000 he rounded off his exploration with the major work of Claude Debussy, whose preludes and orchestral works were adapted for his jazz Trio. Despite these infidelities to Bach, he never forgot what, or who, had made him into an international legend : For the 250th anniversary of the death of Jean-Sebastien Bach, Jacques Loussier returned to his master and recorded "Les Variations Goldberg". In 2001 also a CD "Baroque Favorites" is recorded and composed from major themes from Haendel, Marcello , Albinoni, Scarlatti et Marin Marais. Haendel inspired him again with another album in 2002 released by Telarc. 2003: Album Beethoven: Variations on the Allegretto from 7th SymphonY: Télarc (CD-83580). 2004: Recording of a solo album dedicated to the complete Nocturnes of Chopin.
In
January 2005, Jacques Loussier celebrated his 70th birthday with an acclaimed
concert at the prestigious Champ Elysées Theatre in Paris.
To mark his return home to France he played an additional 15 concerts
throughout the country. Later that year, Jacques Loussier was made "Commandeur
des Arts et des Lettres" by the French Ministry of Culture as a lifetime
career tribute.
Jacques
Loussier continues to release new work through Telarc. 2006 saw the release of two
Mozart Concertos, N° 21 and 23. The
Brandburger Concertos followed in 2007, as did a compilation of original
compositions such as Violin Concerto N°1, Les Tableaux Vénitiens,
Pièce Pour Cordes, the Trompet Concerto, and a new Play Bach
CD. 2009 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the first release of Play Bach in 1959. Telarc International – a division of
Concord Music Group – celebrates this event with the
release of a special CD : "Jacques Loussier Plays Bach : The 50th Anniversary Recording".
Meanwhile,
Jacques tours the globe with his trio, performing concerts in London, Buenos Aires, Berlin, San Diego, Rio and Japan planned for the end of 2010. The year 2009 ends with a number of record-breaking performances of more than 3000 concerts . It consecrated Jacques Loussier once and for all as one of the key pianists of his generation who, by placing himself at the crossroads between different musical styles, has profoundly marked his day and age.
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