Samson François, born on May 18, 1924, in Frankfurt, Germany where his father was posted at the French consulate was a prodigious talent. He began playing the piano at the age of two and studied early on with Italian composer Pietro Mascagni. His first public performance came at the age of six, playing a Mozart concerto under Mascagni’s direction. From 1932 to 1935, he studied at the Conservatoire in Nice, where he won first prize and caught the attention of the legendary pianist Alfred Cortot. Cortot encouraged him to continue his studies in Paris with Yvonne Lefébure. In 1938, François entered the Paris Conservatoire, studying with Marguerite Longand and winning the premier prix in 1940.
At just 20, François won the inaugural Marguerite Long–Jacques Thibaud Competition, launching a major international career. He toured widely across Europe and beyond, his rise paralleling the post-war emergence of the cultural “jet set.” Known for his flamboyant and indulgent lifestyle, François was as much at home in Paris jazz clubs as he was on the concert stage — an admirer of Bud Powell and an embodiment of the artistic spirit of his era.
Despite his bohemian image, François was a pianist of immense discipline and refinement. He became a cult figure for his unique combination of virtuosity, sensitivity, and imagination. While especially celebrated for his interpretations of French repertoire; Fauré, Ravel, Debussy—his performances of Chopin, Liszt, and Schumannalso earned him high praise.
His reading of Chopin’s Preludes is particularly compelling. These short pieces encapsulate so much of what defines Chopin: his lyricism, his existential anxiety, his brilliance and frailty, and the shadow of his declining health. Each prelude offers a glimpse into a different facet of his inner world—concise yet rich, poetic yet precise. In under 45 minutes, we are given a distillation of Chopin’s genius: the elegance, the turmoil, the intellect, and the soul.
Cut directly from the original analog master tapes, through our unique all valve 1965 Ortofon / Lyrec vinyl cutting system in stereo. No equalisation, compression or any other processing was added during the cutting process.
All sleeve artwork made by hand and authentically letter-pressed on a 1963 Heidelberg SB.
This edition of 300 copies is priced at £395.00 UK pounds and shipping at the beginning of June. Order here.
ERC proof with original sleeve (back).
