Katia and Marielle Labèque, pianists in tune with Cocteau

The scene takes place in a small pedestrian street in the center of Paris. Below their home, Katia and Marielle Labèque are waiting for a VTC. When the vehicle arrives, the driver, upon seeing their numerous luggage, gives them a laconic and discourteous “There’s too much.” “We’ll have to find a solution,” Katia retorts, no less determined. The discussion begins, a (financial) solution is finally found and the entire crew leaves for the airport. Eh yes! Two world-famous soloists don't go on an international tour with just a bikini in a backpack!

This is the life of the Labèque sisters, punctuated by these tours and the hundreds of concerts they give each year. These two inexhaustible performers are unique in that they never lock themselves into one musical genre. Always ready, behind the keyboards of their pianos and despite their side as great ladies of classical music, to risk adventure. Like at the Jazz in Marciac festival, when they launched into an incredible Bolero accompanied by Basque percussion.

Today, they tackle one of the little-known wonders of the repertoire: the Piano Suites by Philip Glass. They renamed Orpheus, Beauty and the Beast and Les Enfants Terribles Cocteau Trilogy. An extraordinary ensemble that they have just given to the Philharmonie de Paris. Let those who missed this remarkable evening console themselves: The Labèque sisters have recorded this program on CD, and are preparing to play it throughout France. Very great music.

CD from Deutsche Grammophon. Concerts in Lille on May 15, Lyon on October 9...