Thierry Pécou
Upcoming Performances
About Thierry Pécou
In his encounters with traditions, Thierry Pécou dreams of ‘making the whole world resonate’ and thereby restoring the ritual character of music. Music conceived within this spiritual framework directly addresses and captivates the listener. (Jean-Luc Tamby)
Thierry Pécou, born in Boulogne-Billancourt near Paris in 1965, studied piano and additionally orchestration and composition at the Paris Conservatoire where he earned first prizes for both study courses. Scholarships for study abroad took him first to Canada from 1989 to 1993, then to Russia from 1994 to 1995 and subsequently to Spain and Latin America from 1997 to 1999. Travelling and different countries and their cultures have become the chief inspiration for his creative activities.
Shaped by the influences of musical cultures from distant historical periods and locations, Pécou pursues an individual path far from the avant-garde. He was inspired by the language and intellectual world of Pre-Columbian America and Native American civilisations to compose the Symphonie du Jaguar which received its first performance to great acclaim in 2003 played by the Orchestre National d’Ile de France and conducted by HK Gruber. The cantata Passeurs d’eau dating from 2004 also draws inspiration from North American Indians. Traces of other cultures such as Ancient Greece can be found in the concert piece Les filles du feu (for oboe or clarinet and chamber orchestra composed in 1998). Other works additionally make allusions to African and Ancient Chinese music (for example La Barque au rêve clair for erhu and orchestra written in 2007), less as folkloristic quotations, but more in the form of tonal colouring and intimations.
Pécou composes music across a wide range of genres ranging from solo works to orchestral compositions and lieder with piano to music theatre. His orchestral works include Vague de pierre written for the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and Tremendum created for the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Pécou undertook the solo piano part in the premiere of Tremendum and regularly participates in performances of his own works for piano and chamber ensembles. The composer is highly motivated to return repeatedly to his own works and create new interpretations. He founded the Zellig Ensemble in 1998 and was its pianist up to 2010. Pécou is currently the artistic director of the Ensemble Variances in which he also participates as a pianist. In recent years, Pécou has composed several solo concertos: The trumpet concerto Soleil Rouge (2015) for Håkan Hardenberger and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France was followed by La Danse de Shiva (2017) for saxophone and orchestra and the Cara Bali Concerto (2020) written for the pianist Alexandre Tharaud and the Orchestre National de Lyon.
For the Théâtre du Châtelet he wrote the children’s opera Hop et Rats in 2003 and composed the chamber opera Les Sacrifiées based on the work of the same name by Laurent Gaudé in response to a commission from the French Ministry of Culture in 2008 which received its first performance in Nanterre. His full-length opera L’Amour coupable based on the drama “La Mère coupable” by Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais was premiered by the Opéra de Rouen in 2010 and was cited as the best world premiere of the year 2010 by the Syndicat de la Critique Théâtre, Musique et Danse. In the chamber opera Nahasdzáán in the Glittering World, based on a libretto by Navajo poet Laura Tohe, traditional healing rituals of the Navajo people are confronted with the environmental and social problems of our time. The world premiere – at the Théâtre des Arts Rouen in 2019 – featured live animals such as vultures, wolves and owls. Pécou's latest opera Until the Lions is based on a book by Indian actress Karthika Nair, in which she poetically adapts the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata. Premiered at the Opéra National du Rhin in Strasbourg in 2022, the piece questions gender images, denounces the violence of war and gives its victims a voice.
Thierry Pécou is the recipient of numerous prizes including the Stéphane Chapelier Clergue Gabriel Marie Prize from Sacem (1990), an award from the UNESCO International Rostrum of Composers for his Stabat Mater (1990), the Georges Enescu Prize from Sacem (1993), the Pierre Cardin Prize from the Académie des Beaux-Arts (1996), the Prix Nouveau Talent from SACD (1999), the prize for Young Composers from Sacem (2004) and the prize from the Fondation d‘entreprise Banque Populaire (also in 2004). In 2010, the Foundation Simone et Cino del Duca from the Institut de France awarded him the Grand Prix de Composition, and in 2016, he received the GRand Prix of the SACEM for symphonic composition. The recording of his Symphonie du Jaguar with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France under the direction of Francois-Xavier Roth issued by harmonia mundi received two awards: the Diapason d’or de l’année 2010 and the award Grand Prix de l’Académie Charles Cros for record recordings.
Thierry Pécou currently lives and works in Rouen.
Worklist
Gallery
Chronology
"Grand Prix de Composition Musicale" from the Fondation Simone et Cino del Duca awarded by the Académie des Beaux-Arts
"Prix de la Meilleure Création Musicale 2010" from the Syndicat de la Critique Théâtre, Musique et Danse for the opera "L'Amour coupable"
"Grand Prix de l'Académie Charles Cros" and "Diapason d'or" for the recording of "Symphonie du Jaguar"
First performance of the chamber opera "Nahasdzáán in the Glittering World" at Théâtre des Arts in Rouen
First performance of the opera "Until the Lions" at Opéra National du Rhin in Strasbourg
Products
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for solo violin or flute and double mixed choirComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: E-score PDFEdition: Choral scoreSeries: Edition Schott
Schott Chamber Choir
Instrumentation: violin (or flute) and Doppelchoir (SATB)Language: EnglishProduct number: SKR 20101 Q558278In stock€9.99Incl. Tax -
for flute, violin, viola, violoncello and piano soloists and 3 ensemblesComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: flute, violin, viola, cello, piano soloists and 3 ensembles
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for mixed choir a cappella (SATBarB)Composer: Thierry PécouEdition: Choral scoreSeries: Schott Chamber Choir
Instrumentation: mixed choir (SATBarB)Product number: SKR 20102Product TypeIn stockAs low as €5.99Incl. Tax -
for cabrette and string orchestraComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: Cabrette and string orchestra
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for soprano, string orchestra and pre-recorded traditional songsComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: soprano, string orchestra and Zuspielband
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for 5 female voices, clarinet, trombone, violin and violoncelloComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: 5 female voices, clarinet, trombone, violin and celloLanguage: French
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pour 13 instruments
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for piano and orchestraComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: piano and orchestra
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Cantate of Four MountainsComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: 2 female voices and ensembleLanguage: French, English
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for three flutes and orchestraComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: 3 flutes and orchestra
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for trumpet and orchestraComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: trumpet and orchestra
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for mezzo soprano and orchestraComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: mezzo-soprano and orchestraLanguage: Spanish
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A collection of new pieces for pianoMedia Type: Sheet musicInstrumentation: pianoLanguage: EnglishProduct number: ED 21470In stock€10.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
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pour soprano et ensembleComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: soprano and ensemble
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for choir with equal voices and one bellComposer: Thierry PécouEdition: Choral scoreSeries: Schott Chamber Choir
Instrumentation: choirProduct number: SKR 20122Product TypeIn stockAs low as €4.99Incl. Tax -
Opéra jeune publicComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialLanguage: French
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for chamber orchestraComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: chamber orchestra
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for piano and orchestraComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: piano and orchestra
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for erhu and orchestraComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: erhu and orchestra
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for saxophone solo and wind orchestraComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: saxophone and wind band
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Polyphonic chamber oratorioComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: 7 singers, a native voice, viola da gamba (cello), percussion and cowbellsLanguage: French, Spanish
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for violin (or flute) and piano (or cristal baschet)Composer: Thierry PécouEdition: Score and partsSeries: Edition Schott
Instrumentation: violin (or flute) and piano (or Cristal Baschet)Product number: ED 22714Product TypeIn stockAs low as €13.99Incl. Tax -
Concerto for piano and mixed choir (SATB)Composer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: piano and choir (SATB)Language: French
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for mixed choir a cappella and a bellComposer: Thierry PécouEdition: Choral scoreSeries: Schott Chamber Choir
Instrumentation: mixed choir (SATB) and BellProduct number: SKR 20105Product TypeIn stockAs low as €6.99Incl. Tax -
for six wind instruments, percussion and nine stringsComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: ensemble
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for orchestraComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: orchestra
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Composer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: E-score PDFEdition: Separate editionSeries: Edition Schott
Instrumentation: pianoProduct number: ED 21572 Q11802In stock€1.99Incl. Tax -
for violoncello solo, six instruments and prerecorded whale soundsComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: cello solo, 6 instruments and prerecorded whale chants
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for mixed choir, piano and flute ad lib.Composer: Thierry PécouAuthor of original text: Laura ToheMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Performing scoreInstrumentation: choir (SATB), piano and flute ad lib.Product number: SKR 19017Out of stock€19.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
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for three flute soloists, flute ensemble and percussionComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: 3 flute soloists, flute ensemble and percussions
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for violin and string orchestraComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: violin and string orchestra
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for men's choir (or mixed choir)Composer: Thierry PécouEdition: Choral scoreSeries: Schott Chamber Choir
Instrumentation: men's choir / mixed choirProduct number: SKR 20123Product TypeIn stockAs low as €3.99Incl. Tax -
for large orchestraComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: large orchestra
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for piano, flute, clarinet and violoncelloComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: piano, flute, clarinet and cello
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for pianoComposer: Thierry PécouEdition: Solo partSeries: Edition Schott
Outre-mémoire
Instrumentation: pianoProduct number: ED 22075Product TypeIn stockAs low as €24.99Incl. Tax -
for chamber orchestraComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: chamber orchestra
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pour cinq chanteurs (SMezAABar) et ensemble instrumentalComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: soprano, mezzo-soprano, 2 alti, baritone and ensembleLanguage: French
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for mixed choir, children's choir ad lib. and orchestraComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: mixed choir, children's choir ad libitum and orchestraLanguage: French
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for strings, harp, percussions, pre-recorded tapes and instrumental group ad libitumComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: strings, harp, percussion, pre-recorded tape and instrumental group ad libitum
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Version for piano soloComposer: Thierry PécouEdition: Solo partSeries: Edition Schott
Instrumentation: pianoProduct number: ED 21783Product TypeIn stockAs low as €14.99Incl. Tax -
Sephardic melodies for soprano, flute, clarinet, double bass, piano and percussionComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: soprano, flute, clarinet, double bass, piano and percussionLanguage: Arabic, Aramaic, Ladino
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for rababa, darabouka (and tar) and seven instrumentsComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: Rababa, Darabouka (Tar), flute, clarinet, bassoon, percussion, violin 1, violin 2, double bass
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for pianoComposer: Thierry PécouEdition: Separate editionSeries: Edition Schott
Instrumentation: pianoProduct number: ED 22713Product TypeIn stockAs low as €13.99Incl. Tax -
for string quartet and orchestraComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: string quartet and orchestra
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Chamber operaComposer: Thierry PécouLibrettist: Jean-Christophe BlondelMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: clarinet, saxophone, violin, piano and electronicsLanguage: French
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for clarinet, trombone, violin, cello, 5 female voices and orchestraComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: clarinet, trombone, violin, cello, 5 female voices and orchestraLanguage: French
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List of Published Works by SchottIn stock€0.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
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Concerto-carnaval for Piano and OrchestraComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: piano and orchestra
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for fourteen instrumentsComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: ensemble
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Échos du MahabharataComposer: Thierry PécouMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialLanguage: English