Pianist Pascal Rogé was at home in Paris on November 13 when the city was subjected to a series of deadly attacks by ISIS extremists. A week later, he is preparing to perform a concerto by one of France's most celebrated composers, Camille Saint-Saens, with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. The concert on Friday will be dedicated to the victims in Paris.
Rogé describes the sense of freedom he feels is inherent in French music, and the particular charms of Saint-Saens' genius. He lists the many ways the composer was able to incorporate the sounds of north Africa and Indonesia into the Piano Concerto No. 5, "Egyptian," and yet retain his purely French sensibility.
Pascal Rogé's newest recording, featuring Bartok's Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion, is a project that arose out of his frequent concertizing with his wife, pianist Ami Rogé. It was released on Onyx Records this year.
