DUO AKANE
Duo AKANE – The Magic of the Accordion and the Violin
The Duo Akane brings together two artists with remarkable backgrounds. Maÿlis Arrat, a Toulouse-based accordionist, was awarded First Prize at the 2022 Castelfidardo International Competition and is the winner of the Cap Ferret Music Festival 2024, and Masaki Morishita, a violinist currently pursuing a Master’s at the CNSM in Paris and the 2024 laureate of the Safran Foundation for Music.
The duo will offer us a captivating musical adventure that transcends the ages, ranging from Baroque to contemporary music. Masterpieces by Handel and Mozart will harmoniously intertwine with the dazzling virtuosity of Ysaÿe, creating an enchanting dialogue between tradition and innovation. The music of Tchaikovsky, elevated by an original arrangement for violin and accordion, promises to surprise and move the audience with its poignant melodies. The program will be enriched by a bold creation from Franck Angélis, adding a true contemporary touch that will astonish and delight ears. To conclude this musical journey, the duo will perform the majestic Chaconne by Vitali, an emblematic piece that will resonate in the hearts of listeners. Through this palette of varied works, the dialogue between the violin and accordion flourishes, highlighting the richness and harmony of this uncommon pairing.
With their distinguished backgrounds and recent victories in prestigious competitions, these two young artists embody the new generation of classical music. Together, they will take us on a unique sonic journey, blending the richness of the violin with the depth of the accordion in an enchanting musical dialogue.
Duration of the performance: 1 hour 10 minutes.
In the main hall of the castle
Price €20
Limited seating; reservations recommended
The concert will be followed by a friendly drink shared with the artists.
The Artists
Maÿlis Arrat grew up in a village near Toulouse in a family of music lovers. She became passionate about the accordion early on, fascinated by the sound and the infinite possibilities of the instrument. At the age of 15, she joined the Toulouse Conservatory in Grégory DALTIN’s class. She completed her studies there and received the Gennevilliers Conservatory award in 2022 with honors and congratulations from the jury. In 2018, she won the first prize gold medal at the national competition organized in Paris by the National Union of French Accordionists (UNAF). In 2022, she became the laureate of the 47th Premio Internazionale Fisarmonica di Castelfidardo (PIF), one of the most prestigious international competitions for classical accordion in the Master’s category.
At the age of 19, Maÿlis worked with the Capitole Theatre of Toulouse for the world premiere of the children’s opera “Orphée.” Subsequently, she developed a particular interest in accompaniment alongside conductor Stéphane DELINCAK and the vocal ensemble “A Bout De Souffle.” Today, she pursues a solo career in classical and Baroque music, including participation in the festival “Passe ton Bach d’abord” in Toulouse.
Maÿlis has benefited from the artistic mentorship of the greatest contemporary composer for classical accordion, Franck ANGELIS, since her early beginnings. He recognized the expressive uniqueness of the young artist early on and continues to actively assist her in developing her energy and colors as a teacher.
Masaki Morishita, a young artist whose talent is already well-established and whose interpretive maturity displays impressive delicacy and depth, is the 2021 laureate of the Prodige-Art National Competition and the “Talent of Tomorrow” for the 2023 edition. After a brilliant academic career and a promising start in Japan, Masaki Morishita entered the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris in 2020 in the prestigious class of Olivier Charlier. He also studies analysis, composition, complementary piano, and chamber music. In his second year of study, he was selected to play in a string quartet. Since September 2022, he has been a member of the Radio France Orchestra Academy.