Pascal Devoyon French pianist. Date of Birth: 06.04.1953 Country: France

1. Biography of Pascal Devoyon
2. Rise to International Fame
3. Concerts and Recordings

Biography of Pascal Devoyon

Pascal Devoyon is a French pianist renowned for his exceptional talent and musicality. He began his piano studies under the guidance of Blanche Bascouret de Géraldi and later continued his education in the class of Lélia Gousseau at the Paris Conservatory, where he graduated with the top prize in 1971.

Rise to International Fame

Devoyon gained worldwide recognition following his successful performances at several international competitions. In 1974, he was awarded the second prize at the Busoni Competition, followed by a third prize at the Leeds Competition in 1975. His exceptional skills were further acknowledged when he secured the second place at the prestigious Tchaikovsky Competition in 1978.

During the Moscow competition, Devoyon was considered a favorite before the final round. However, the jury controversially awarded him the second place, declaring Mikhail Pletnev as the winner. This decision sparked strong dissatisfaction among the audience.

Concerts and Recordings

From the late 1970s onwards, Devoyon embarked on a prolific concert career, performing extensively throughout Europe, the USSR, and the United States. He also made notable recordings, including a remarkable cycle of Ravel's "Gaspard de la nuit" and Liszt's Sonata.

Later in his career, Devoyon turned his attention to chamber music, collaborating with renowned musicians such as cellist Steven Isserlis, violinist Kang Dong-Suk, and others. His passion for teaching led him to become a professor at the Paris Conservatory in 1991, Berlin University of the Arts in 1995, and the Geneva Conservatory. Despite his teaching commitments, Devoyon continues to actively perform in concerts.