French Pianist Collete Maze Publishes Sixth Album After Playing for 102 Years
Playing the piano for 102 years, Colette Maze recently published her sixth CD.
Maze, now 107, began playing at the age of five recalling concerts being held at the family's Paris apartment when she was a child with her grandmother (also a pianist) and her mother the violin. For Maze, the piano often carried her through her pain and often difficult life.
Experiencing the pain from a strained relationship from her mother's absence, Maze resorted to music to fill the void. Speaking to NPR Maze said, "I always favoured composers that offered me sensitivity." “Music is an emotional, lyrical language.” There is everything in music — nature, passion, love, revolt, dreams; it's like spiritual food.”
Always knowing that she wanted to become a musician, this was difficult for girls in the early twentieth century resulting in her taking a series of examinations and becoming a teacher for over 20 years.
“I always knew the piano — from morning to night — she was always at the piano. She sort of breathed through the piano,” said Fabrice, her 72-year-old son. “And for me, it was important that she could record, to leave a trace — to leave a message.”
Recently publishing her sixth recorded album (which she recorded at home with the assistance of a sound engineer) thanks to her son's insistence, Maze believes you must look at life from all angles with an aspect of delight.
“Youth is inside us,” says Maze. “If you appreciate what’s beautiful around you, you will find a sense of wonder in it.”
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