Constance Luzzati is awarded the Prix Gisèle Tissier-Grandpierre

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News

September 22, 2023

We extend our warmest congratulations to Constance Luzzati, who has been awarded the prestigious Prix Gisèle Tissier-Grandpierre 2022. This prize, awarded to an outstanding harpist whose career deserves to be nurtured or recognized, was presented this Tuesday, September 19, 2023 by the Chancellor of the Institut de France, Mr. Xavier Darcos, in the presence of jury president and composer Ms. Edith Canat de Chizy, member of the Académie des beaux-arts, composer Mr. Régis Campo, also a member of the Académie des beaux-arts, and musicologist Mr. Gilles Cantagrel, correspondent of the Académie des beaux-arts.

Constance with composer and jury president Edith Canat de Chizy

In her acceptance speech, Constance Luzzati indicated that the prize would be used to finance her projects in the field of transcription for solo harp and in the promotion of forgotten repertoires, in particular works composed by women. Moving from words to action, Constance took to her harp to perform “Le rappel des oiseaux”, an extract from her latest disc devoted to Rameau. She was then joined by the other two members of the Trio Haydée, MarieLou Jacquard on voice and Anastasie Lefebvre de Rieux on flutes, to offer us a brilliant interpretation of two little-known pieces: “The cypress curtain of the night” by Grace Williams, and “La danse des dieux” by Rosy Wertheim.

Constance performed works by Rameau, Couperin and Grace Williams.

Our congratulations also go to Anaïs Gaudemard, who was awarded the 2021 prize at the same ceremony (postponed due to Covid). The two harpists won over the audience with a harp duet, “la musette de Choisy” and “la musette de Taverni”, two pieces by Couperin which were a total revelation.

Constance Luzzati, French baroque and the concert harp

February 14, 2022

Far be it from the Camac blog to question the evergreen splendour of the harp repertoire canon, but transcription is also an important topic for our instrument. Constance Luzzati is one of its most thoughtful defenders. Read more…