On World Piano Day, March 29, 2025, Antonine University (UA) hosted acclaimed French pianist Théo Fouchenneret for a concert as part of Chamber Music Season VII. Winner of the First Prize at the 2018 Geneva International Competition, Fouchenneret delivered a performance marked by clarity, precision, and expressive command. 

The program opened with Schubert’s Sonata No. 7 in E-flat Major, a piece known for its understated complexity. Fouchenneret’s interpretation highlighted the work’s lyrical nature while maintaining its structural simplicity — a balance that demonstrated his refined musical judgment. 

This was followed by Kodály’s Marosszék Dances, a technically demanding work filled with rhythmic energy and folk character. Fouchenneret approached it with conviction, delivering a performance both articulate and dynamic. 

In Chopin’s Ballade No. 3, he brought sensitivity and control to one of the composer’s most expressive piano works, navigating its contrasting moods with fluidity and confidence. 

The program concluded with Brahms’ Handel Variations, a substantial and complex composition requiring both technical strength and interpretive insight. Fouchenneret’s performance was focused and deliberate, showcasing his ability to maintain musical coherence across the work’s intricate variations and culminating fugue. 

As an encore, he performed a piece from Mendelssohn’s Romances Sans Paroles, offering a calm and elegant close to the evening. 

The concert, which coincided with World Piano Day, reinforced UA’s commitment to fostering live classical music and re-establishing Lebanon as a vibrant cultural hub. It was a reminder that classical music remains a vital and thriving part of Lebanon’s artistic identity, and that performances of this caliber continue to enrich the cultural life of the University and its broader community.