BACH & BEYOND
FRANCESCO TRISTANO keyboards & electronics
PROGRAM
Francesco Tristano (1981-)
Introit (2011)
Hello (2007)
Girolamo Frescobaldi (1583-1643)
Toccata n. 4, Book (1627)
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Allemande / Courante / Menuet I / Menuet II
[from: French Suite n. 1 in d minor, BWV 812 (1722)]
Prelude [from: English Suite n. 3 in g minor, BWV 808 (1714)]
Francesco Tristano
Electric mirror (2019)
Johann Sebastian Bach
Sinfonia [from: Partita n.2 in c minor, BWV 826 (1731)]
Francesco Tristano:
Neon City / The third bridge at Nakameguro / Insomnia (2019)
Johann Sebastian Bach:
Prelude in Eb minor, BWV 853
Friedrich Gulda (1930-2000)
Prelude & Fugue (1965)
Derrick May (1963-)/Michael James
Strings of life (1987) [Piano version by Francesco Tristano]
Ryuichi Sakamoto (1952-2023)
Merry Christmas, Mister Lawrence (1983)
Francesco Tristano
Merry Christmas, Mister Lawrence Rework (2018)
Francesco Tristano
Nogizaka (2019)
(80min without intermission)
Francesco Tristano - biography
Francesco Tristano is a genre-defying artist from Luxembourg, celebrated for seamlessly blending classical and electronic music in groundbreaking ways. Trained as a classical pianist at the Juilliard School in New York, he gained early acclaim for his interpretations of Baroque and contemporary classical works. However, it is his foray into electronic music that has positioned him as a trailblazer in the global music scene.
Francesco’s electronic music journey began with a fascination for the club culture and its capacity for storytelling through sound. This curiosity led to his debut electronic album, Auricle Bio On (2008), where he showcased a unique fusion of minimalism, techno, and classical motifs. His artistry gained further recognition with Idiosynkrasia (2010), released on the renowned label InFiné Music. The album pushed boundaries, intertwining intricate piano compositions with experimental beats and textured soundscapes.
According to Tristano, “what I loved about electronic music from the very beginning was the structure. The structure of minimalism was something that was very appealing to me, because it was the quality I was looking for in classical music, too, especially old baroque music.”
A key turning point in his career was his collaboration with Detroit techno pioneer Carl Craig, with whom he reimagined classical compositions through an electronic lens in projects like Versus (2017). This seminal album, released on InFiné and Planet E Communications, featured a full orchestral reinterpretation of iconic tracks such as "The Melody" and "Sandstorms," showcasing Tristano’s innovative vision.
Francesco’s collaborations extend to techno luminaries like Jeff Mills, with whom he performed live hybrid sets that blur the lines between genres. His versatility and forward-thinking approach have also seen him release tracks on labels like Vision Quest, Get Physical and Transmat, cementing his reputation as an artist who thrives in the nexus of tradition and modernity.
On stage, Tristano is known for his captivating live performances, blending acoustic piano with synthesizers and drum machines. He has graced some of the world’s most prestigious venues and festivals, from Tresor Berlin, Destino Ibiza to Mutek Argentina and Sónar Festival in Barcelona, mesmerizing audiences with his ability to transform classical precision into club euphoria.
Always experimenting, Francesco Tristano continues to explore uncharted territory, proving that music knows no boundaries. With every release and performance, he reaffirms his role as one of electronic music’s most innovative and genre-defying figures.
