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French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, a versatile, dynamic soloist who is at home in Debussy as he is in the jazz-tinged world of Gershwin, will serve as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s 2026/27 artist-in-residence, following in the footsteps of violinist Hilary Hahn, pianist Daniil Trifonov and mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato.
The virtuoso, 64, who ranks among the most significant and sought-after pianists of our time, has made more than 50 recordings and performed with most of the world’s top orchestras, including regular collaborations with the CSO.
In addition to educational outreach and other community activities during his 2026/27 visits to Chicago, Thibaudet will perform in a set of concerts with the CSO, perform in a trio recital on the Symphony Center Presents series and as a featured soloist in a special concert highlighting the music of George Gershwin and the American songbook:
- Oct. 18, Thibaudet, Batiashvili & Capuçon, Shostakovich’s Piano Trio No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 8; Debussy’s Piano Trio in G Major and Dvořák’s Piano Trio in F Minor, Thibaudet, Lisa Batiashvili, violin, and Gautier Capuçon, cello.
More than many star soloists, Thibaudet has always made ample time in his schedule for chamber music and collaborations like this one. “’[Chamber music] is our chance to open our ears and have musical discussions,” the pianist said in a 2019 interview with Ravinia magazine. “You put two, three people together, and they all have their ideas, but we can discuss it, and it’s wonderful. Very rarely in my life have I had conflicts.”
These three top-level musicians, who are longtime friends and colleagues, first toured as threesome in November 2018, undertaking an 11-day, 10-city tour across Europe. “It was really a fantastic experience,” Batiashvili told Experience CSO in 2019.
The trio teamed up through the Capuçon, who has performed with Thibaudet for more 20 years and previously collaborated with Batiashvili. “When you have the possibility to play incredible music with great friends onstage, this is just pure luxury,“ the cellist told Experience CSO in 2019. ”There is nothing better than that.”
- Feb. 11-13, Khachaturian Piano Concerto, Fabien Gabel, conductor. Aram Khachaturian is very much on Thibaudet’s mind. He recently recorded an album of the Armenian composer’s music with conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, including this piano concerto, that will be released Feb. 28 on the Decca label.
Composed early in Khachaturian’s career in 1936, the piece displays folk influences — the shugh tradition of Armenian bards — and modernist harmonies, and it brought him important early attention. This concerto is not performed as often as many more prominent works in the form, and Thibaudet is clearly trying to bring it more attention by spotlighting it as much as he can.
- May 24, Two Pianos: Who Could Ask for Anything More?, Thibaudet, piano, Michael Feinstein, piano and vocals, and Keith Lockhart, conductor.
Thibaudet, always happy to cross into other musical worlds, joins the well-respected cabaret performer Michael Feinstein and Keith Lockhart, conductor of the Boston Pops since 1995, for a multifaceted celebration of George Gershwhin.
This program emerged from Thibaudet and Feinstein’s 2024 Decca album celebrating the 100th anniversary of the premiere of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue (featured on the release in a two-piano medley version), along with a variety of other Gershwin songs, including “Jasbo Brown Blues” from Porgy and Bess.
This performance, which will include a strong orchestral dimension, is part of a fundraising event presented in partnership by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association and the League of the CSOA. Proceeds benefit the CSO’s artistic, educational and community-engagement programs in Chicago and across the globe.
“All the projects I’m doing now,” Thibaudet told Experience CSO in 2022, “were either dreams that I’ve had for many years, but didn’t have time to do or didn’t have the opportunity, and they are just things that excite me and I enjoy doing. That’s beauty of it. I can kind of choose a direction, and that’s a great privilege, and I feel very happy about that."
