Impromptu

Do you know Dr. Nan? You might have seen her play around town, or heard her on The Piano, or caught her video. Tomorrow you can hear Nicole Narboni on WFMT at 4pm (central) here.

Artist Interview: DBR & Nicole Narboni

Composer, violinist and recording artist DBR (Daniel Bernard Roumain) and pianist Nicole Narboni were recently in San Antonio performing for Texas Public Radio’s 180 Group. John Clare had a chance to speak with them and hear some of their collaboration.

Listen to mp3 files:
Music "Home on the Range"
Interview with Nicole and Daniel
More Music "JDML from One Loss Plus"

Nicole Video

Nicole Narboni is a pianist familiar to San Antonio audiences. With training stretching from UT Austin to the Peabody Institute, her experiences and repertoire are wide ranging and profound. Her latest recording features composer Jean Francaix. Composing since he was a child, his outlook on life and music is as bright and full of wonder as one could wish.

To see a video where Nicole talks about her exploration of this little heard music click here.

No Joke, this composer is to be taken seriously!

I was first introduced to the music of the French composer Jean Francaix, by concerts of the Olmos Ensemble here in San Antonio. I found Francaix's works fun, beautifully constructed and accessible. A real prodigy, Francaix was composing by six and was brought to the attention of Nadia Boulanger who considered him one of her best students. A composer at heart, Francaix continued his chosen path to his death at the age of 85.

When it comes to pronouncing the name of the composer, Jean Francaix few people agree. Some say "frahn-SAY", but the composer himself wrote to a New York broadcaster claiming it is "frahn-SEX". You can hear about the sense of humor of this composer on the Piano this Sunday afternoon, so we never know when this brilliant musician is joking or not - like getting American radio announcers to say "sex" every time we announce his music! However you say his name, his music is fun, bright and witty. On the Piano this Sunday I speak to Nicole Narboni who introduced me to the piano music of this charming musician.


Nicole has a new album out which gives us the best idea of Francaix's music for his own instrument, the piano. And you can hear some of it this Sunday afternoon at 5 on KPAC and KTXI.

Host, Randy Anderson