French Conductor shares passion for music in a Masterclass at the Met
French pianist-conductor David Greilsammer recently conducted a piano masterclass for music students at the orchestra room of the Metropolitan Theater. The event was made possible by the Cultural Center of the Philippines through its Arts Education Department-Artist Training Division in cooperation with the Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia, and Alliance Française de Manille.
He offered constructive critiques following each young pianist’s performance, which featured York Bowen’s Toccata, Op. 155; Frédéric Chopin’s Étude in E major, Op. 10 No. 3; Nikolai Kapustin’s Prelude in F major, Op. 53 No. 24; and Maurice Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major, II. Adagio assai.
“We are fortunate to have world-class artists like David Greilsammer share their expertise with our Filipino music students,” shared CCP Artist Training Division’s Vim Calmerin.
“This masterclass has been a truly enriching experience. I am deeply grateful for the chance to have shared my passion for music with such a talented and receptive audience,” Greilsammer said.
French Embassy Cultural and Audiovisual Attaché Martin Macalintal expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to share French art and culture with the Filipino People through the masterclass. He also expressed hope for the continued exchange of artistic talents between the Philippines and France in the future.
Recognized as one of the most remarkable and daring French pianists and conductors of his generation, David Greilsammer is acclaimed for his innovative projects, his work in the field of creation, and his commitment to building bridges between arts, cultures, and traditions.
His latest solo album, Labyrinth, released on the French label Naïve, has received over ten international awards and was praised by the press as “radical,” “brave,” and “stunning.” His other recent albums, released by Sony Classical, have also earned numerous accolades and international prizes, including recognition from The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and The Sunday Times.
David Greilsammer is the Music and Artistic Director of the Geneva Camerata in Switzerland—one of today’s most innovative orchestras—as well as of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Medellín in Colombia. He has also performed as conductor and soloist with leading ensembles such as the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony, the Philharmonique de Radio France, the Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale della RAI, the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony, the Symphoniker Hamburg, the Israel Symphony Orchestra, the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg, and the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico.
His solo recitals, always featuring eclectic and adventurous programs, have been performed at prestigious venues such as the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Lincoln Center in New York, Kennedy Center in Washington, Wigmore Hall in London, Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, the Venice Biennale, the Oriental Art Center in Shanghai, the Forbidden City Theatre in Beijing, the National Theatre of Namibia, and the Hanoi Opera House.
Alongside his long and distinguished international career, David Greilsammer is actively engaged in numerous humanitarian causes. In collaboration with charities, embassies, French Institutes, and NGOs around the world, he has launched various social and educational initiatives, particularly for children from underprivileged areas, youth with reduced mobility, and patients in hospitals and clinics.
This season, David Greilsammer appears as both conductor and pianist at the renowned Philharmonie de Paris and embarks on several tours in Latin America and Asia, alongside the release of his new solo album.
Greilsammer, who visited the country for the first time, also staged a solo concert on July 19, 2025, at Alliance Française de Manille. His participation was part of the various events organized by the Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia and the Alliance Française de Manille.
