Maurice Emmanuel and the Burgundy International Piano Competition
The Burgundy International Piano Competition pays tribute to Maurice Emmanuel (1862–1938), French composer and musicologist, by including a Sonatina movement in the program of the MASTER category.
Born in Bar-sur-Aube and raised in Beaune, he drew part of his inspiration from Burgundian folk songs.
Trained at the Paris Conservatory, he led a dual career as an innovative composer — exploring ancient modes and popular rhythms — and as an influential teacher, counting among his students Robert Casadesus, Yvonne Lefébure, Olivier Messiaen, and Henri Dutilleux.
The inclusion of a Sonatina or Sonatina movement in the competition reflects our desire to highlight regional musical heritage. Candidates discover an original pianistic writing that blends the French tradition with Burgundian roots, creating a direct link with the history and cultural identity of Beaune.
Scenography
Isabelle Tchang Tchong – Artist & Art Therapist
An engaged artist and art therapist, Isabelle Tchang Tchong places the human being and emotion at the heart of her approach. With a degree in special education and a Master’s in art therapy, she has worked for over twenty years with vulnerable audiences — children and adolescents in child psychiatry, incarcerated individuals, youths supported by juvenile justice, and adults experiencing psychological distress or precariousness. In parallel, she has developed a personal artistic practice focused on painting and installation, exploring notions of fragility, transformation, and intimate resonance. Within Beaune Piano Fest, she leads the artistic direction of scenography and exhibitions, creating immersive universes where visual arts and music engage in dialogue.
Scenography at the Heart of the Competition
The Burgundy Piano Competition asserts its uniqueness by forging a strong bond between music and visual arts. Under the direction of Isabelle Tchang Tchong, an immersive scenography and a collective exhibition transform the competition venues into a true space for expression and encounters. The artworks, installed in the concert hall, are created by a collective of local artists with rich and varied backgrounds — healthcare professionals, a child psychiatrist, an adult psychiatrist, special education professionals, and a youth justice executive — who offer a sensitive perspective on the relationship between art, care, and youth. This profoundly inclusive and humanistic approach aims to enrich the spectator experience, broaden access to art, and make the competition a place where musical excellence meets solidarity and sharing.