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When a pianist was called a poet
Before recordings could preserve a performance, a great pianist might become famous across Europe—and then almost disappear from musical memory.
In this episode, Craig Dabelstein explores Oscar Comettant's portrait of the French pianist Francis Planté, a musician whose playing was described not merely as brilliant, but as poetic. What did nineteenth-century listeners mean when they called a pianist a "poet," and what might that forgotten ideal still teach us about musical expression today?
Written and presented by Craig Dabelstein
Music composed by Jeffrey A. Young
Music excerpt: Hector Berlioz, Sérénade de Méphistophélès from La Damnation de Faust, arranged for piano by Ernest Redon; performed by Francis Planté. Recorded for French Columbia at Planté's home in Mont-de-Marsan, France, 3–4 July 1928. Matrix WL 1220-1; issued as French Columbia D 13061.
Based on: Oscar Comettant, Francis Planté: musical portrait with a pen
Translated by Craig Dabelstein
Published by Maxime's Music
Podcast: https://craigdabelstein.com/podcast/
Buy the book: https://books.by/maximes-music
Craig Dabelstein: https://craigdabelstein.com/
Maxime's Music: https://www.maximesmusic.com/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@maximes-music
Music by Jeffrey A. Young: https://jeffyoung.maximesmusic.com/the-musical-archeologist-suite-2026/
View all episodes
By Craig DabelsteinBefore recordings could preserve a performance, a great pianist might become famous across Europe—and then almost disappear from musical memory.
In this episode, Craig Dabelstein explores Oscar Comettant's portrait of the French pianist Francis Planté, a musician whose playing was described not merely as brilliant, but as poetic. What did nineteenth-century listeners mean when they called a pianist a "poet," and what might that forgotten ideal still teach us about musical expression today?
Written and presented by Craig Dabelstein
Music composed by Jeffrey A. Young
Music excerpt: Hector Berlioz, Sérénade de Méphistophélès from La Damnation de Faust, arranged for piano by Ernest Redon; performed by Francis Planté. Recorded for French Columbia at Planté's home in Mont-de-Marsan, France, 3–4 July 1928. Matrix WL 1220-1; issued as French Columbia D 13061.
Based on: Oscar Comettant, Francis Planté: musical portrait with a pen
Translated by Craig Dabelstein
Published by Maxime's Music
Podcast: https://craigdabelstein.com/podcast/
Buy the book: https://books.by/maximes-music
Craig Dabelstein: https://craigdabelstein.com/
Maxime's Music: https://www.maximesmusic.com/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@maximes-music
Music by Jeffrey A. Young: https://jeffyoung.maximesmusic.com/the-musical-archeologist-suite-2026/