LAHORE: A mesmerising musical evening featuring classical French guitarist Thibault Cauvin was organised by the French Cultural Centre at the Alhamra Art Centre, The Mall, on Saturday.

Thibault Cauvin, the most awarded classical guitarists of the world, who is also cultural ambassador of Bordeaux, came all the way from France to perform here in Pakistan. Though the renowned guitarist has performed in over 120 countries, it was his first performance in Pakistan.

The Hall 2 of Alhamra had a fairly good audience, including Lahore Arts Council Board of Governors’ Chairman Razi Ahmed.

Cauvin spellbound the audience by playing different music pieces on the guitar, including South American, Brazilian and French, he had composed while travelling around the world.

The guitarist also did a fusion piece with two Pakistani instrumentalists -- Muhammad Hassan Pappu, who played the flute and Kashif Ali Dani on the Tabla.

The composition they performed together under the title, ‘Lahore’, will also be included in Cauvin’s new album to be released in Paris soon.

Speaking on the occasion, French Cultural Centre Director Fabrice Disdier said he was thankful to the Lahore Arts Council and its chairman for organising this event. He also specially thanked Deputy Commissioner Rafia Haider who extended help in organising the concert.

Throwing light on the musical journey of the celebrated guitarist, Mr Disdier said Cauvin was born into a family of musicians in Bordeaux, France, and by the age of 20 he had won 36 international prizes, including 13 first prizes.

He is from the generation of the most accomplished classical guitarists. In the past 20 years, the guitarist has given more than 1,500 performances in more than 120 countries.

He said Cauvin has released more than 10 albums. In his latest album, he revisits the works of the towering German composer of late Baroque period, Johan Sebastian Bach.

Cauvin has performed on different prestigious stages, including New York’s Carnegie Hall, Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Hall and London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2024