To commemorate Michel Butor's centenary in 2026, Mathieu Amalric joins Jean-François Heisser for an incredible dialogue between Beethoven, Diabelli and Butor.
DIABELLI/BEETHOVEN/BUTOR
Dialogue with 33 variations by Ludwig van Beethoven on a Diabelli waltz by Michel Butor
In 1821, the publisher Diabelli proposed a theme to some fifty composers to "create a panorama of the contemporary piano world". After an initial refusal, Beethoven delivered 33 pieces that make up the first volume of the work, with all the other composers included in the second.
In 1971, Michel Butor wrote "Dialogue avec 33 variations de Ludwig van Beethoven sur une valse de Diabelli" (Dialogue with 33 variations by Ludwig van Beethoven on a waltz by Diabelli), receiving advice from composer Henri Pousseur for the analytical part of his approach. He places the work within a zodiacal vision, superimposing several levels of reading: historical, sociological and, of course, poetic.
In 2000, texts and music came together for a concert-reading by Michel Butor and Jean-François Heisser at Les Bouffes du Nord, then at the Festival d'Avignon and on tour in France and elsewhere. For more than 30 years, the two artists would meet regularly for encounters based on Diabelli, of course, but also on Stravinsky and Granados.
To commemorate Michel Butor's centenary in 2026, Mathieu Amalric joins Jean-François Heisser. Together, they propose a new presentation of the 33 Diabelli variations, combining the great poet's magnificent prose with one of the greatest pieces in the Western piano repertoire, at the exact crossroads of classicism and romanticism, and visionary to say the least.
Breakfast offered by the association
End-of-season lunch offered by Le Méjan following the show (extra charge)
Dialogue with 33 variations by Ludwig van Beethoven on a Diabelli waltz by Michel Butor
In 1821, the publisher Diabelli proposed a theme to some fifty composers to "create a panorama of the contemporary piano world". After an initial refusal, Beethoven delivered 33 pieces that make up the first volume of the work, with all the other composers included in the second.
In 1971, Michel Butor wrote "Dialogue avec 33 variations de Ludwig van Beethoven sur une valse de Diabelli" (Dialogue with 33 variations by Ludwig van Beethoven on a waltz by Diabelli), receiving advice from composer Henri Pousseur for the analytical part of his approach. He places the work within a zodiacal vision, superimposing several levels of reading: historical, sociological and, of course, poetic.
In 2000, texts and music came together for a concert-reading by Michel Butor and Jean-François Heisser at Les Bouffes du Nord, then at the Festival d'Avignon and on tour in France and elsewhere. For more than 30 years, the two artists would meet regularly for encounters based on Diabelli, of course, but also on Stravinsky and Granados.
To commemorate Michel Butor's centenary in 2026, Mathieu Amalric joins Jean-François Heisser. Together, they propose a new presentation of the 33 Diabelli variations, combining the great poet's magnificent prose with one of the greatest pieces in the Western piano repertoire, at the exact crossroads of classicism and romanticism, and visionary to say the least.
Breakfast offered by the association
End-of-season lunch offered by Le Méjan following the show (extra charge)
Rates
Rates
On 7 June 2026
On 7 June 2026
Full price
€25.00
Reduced price
€10.00
Associate member
€18.00
Student
€10.00
Opening times
Opening times
On 7 June 2026
- 11:00 at 12:30
Location
Location
Contact the organizer
- www.lemejan.com
Spoken languages
Spoken languages
