Peter Bence: Pianosphere in Paris

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ANNOUNCER: International Piano Superstar Peter Bence is bringing his spectacular concert performance style to PBS.

From the historic Art Deco Grand Rex Theater in the heart of Paris, Peter Bence dazzles the audience with his virtuosity.

Joined on stage by cellist Luka Sulic.

they reinterpret classic songs, and pop and rock favorites.

It's an evening to remember with Peter Bence, Pianosphere in Paris, now on PBS.

(audience applauding and cheering) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) PETER: Bonsoir, Paris.

Merci d'tre l.

Did I say that right?

(audience cheering and applauding) Thanks for coming.

(Peter laughs) Now, sorry to say I have to continue in English.

I can't speak French, even though, you know, I spend quite a lot of time here.

And so I hope you will enjoy this concert.

This is so great to be back in Paris.

And this little intro piece was actually one of my original songs that I wrote for a symphonic orchestra.

And for tonight, I made a piano reduction that I hope you enjoyed.

And it was called "Illuminated."

And now I'm gonna continue with another original song.

But this one is based on mathematics, to be specific, the Fibonacci sequence.

I'm sure you- you've heard about the Fibonacci sequence.

Do you know?

Quite a few people, okay.

Very well-educated people.

Well, I can explain short, you know.

Fibonacci sequence has to be one of the most divine mathematical sequence, because it's been found in nature so many times, from the shape of galaxies, the way they form, to the shape of some flower petals, the way they grow, and it's that specific spiral, and it's really deeply rooted in nature.

And I was so inspired, I wanted to make music out of it.

But, of course, the challenge was not to be boring.

We're talking about mathematics, after all.

So to- tonight you will be the judge, and you decide if it's boring or enjoyable, I hope.

So, this is a piano piece based on the Fibonacci sequence.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) Now here's another original piece.

And this is actually, you know, sometimes I give myself these challenges to create something from very minimal things.

And so I gave myself four notes.

That's it.

And this is one I'm gonna play only with my right hand.

And so I'm trying to, you know, make it more interesting with my left hand.

So this is an ostinato, obviously.

This is what we'll hear throughout the song.

But I'm, you know, creating something different, I hope, and something more enjoyable.

And so this is like a nice little exercise as a composer.

I'm gonna start off with something.

So don't worry, it's not gonna be the same, but you will recognize when I play the four notes.

(audience applauding) (audience applauding) Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Schindler's List, Superman, Jaws.

What is common in all those movies?

It's the magic that binds it together is the music.

And it's by one single composer.

His name is John Williams.

He's been one of my biggest inspirations throughout my career.

I started composing because of him and went to study film scoring, to Boston, because of him.

And so I really wanted to pay this homage to John Williams and his music.

And I'm sure you will recognize this song.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) Now, you might know me doing crazy stuff to the piano.

And I actually love to experiment in my ho- home studio because I think piano is so much more than just playing the keys.

I mean, the keyboard itself, it's only like, I don't know, what, 5% of the whole furniture?

And you could do so many other things.

And I like to experiment.

So, you know, from plucking the strings, to playing percussion, (piano thuds) anything, you know, in order to sort of imitate other instruments.

And later, when I put it back together, with the help of my loop station, which I have here, it's gonna sound like a whole orchestra is playing.

So this loop station, the way it works, by the way, it's- it's incredible device.

And the way it works is if I play something, you know, and push the button, it just keeps repeating that phrase forever.

So I could go out, have a coffee.

By the time I return, the music is still playing, so it's- it's creating itself.

This is one of my favorite ways to comp- compose music or arrange music.

It's like the building blocks of music, and you can switch them off and on.

You know, it's- it's just, it's a very creative way to do anything.

But unfortunately, you know, I'm very untalented and uninspired when it comes to giving titles to these songs.

So therefore, this one is called, are you sitting down?

"The Loop Song."

(audience laughing) (audience applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) And if you thought, you know, what else can you do to poor piano?

It's actually very easy to put effects on it and turn it into something different.

Like with distortion and overdrive effects, you can basically turn it into an electric guitar.

So this is the regular piano sound, of course, and with distortion, sort of guitar-ish, right?

You will see this fits perfectly into the next song, which is actually from the movie Inception.

This is "Time" by Hans Zimmer.

(audience applauding) (audience applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) What is this noise?

And now it is time for your favorite song.

Hmm?

What is your favorite song?

I don't know.

(audience member shouts) Definitely not.

(audience laughing) Of- let me help you.

(sighs) Of course, it's "Despacito."

(audience laughing) (audience applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) Now, I think this is a perfect moment to go back a few decades, and, do you like the Queen?

(audience cheering) Really?

Do you like the Queen?

(audience cheering loudly) Now, that's the spirit.

So, no, I'm not gonna play that.

(audience laughing) Yes, Queen.

(audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) Thank you.

Merci beaucoup.

And now the next song is very special in a lot of ways.

First of all, a few weeks ago, we were in Los Angeles, and I had the privilege of playing Henry Mancini's piano, the very piano he composed the next song.

And it was such a beautiful moment and incredible honor, of course.

And so I really wanted to pay this homage and create a little nice arrangement of "Moon River," which I'm sure you're familiar with.

(audience applauding) But "Moon River" is not complete without the strings, of course.

And so tonight, and tonight only, we have a very special guest to play "Moon River" with me.

And he is the incredible cellist, Luka Sulic.

Please, ladies and gentlemen, (audience applauding) welcome Luka Sulic.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) Luka Sulic, everybody.

(audience cheering and applauding) (audience clapping in rhythm) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) I need a hammer for the next song.

(wood snapping) (audience laughing) Don't worry, it was just a pencil.

I promise.

(audience laughing) No piano was harmed.

(audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience clapping in rhythm) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) Merci, thank you very much.

Now the question is, do you want another song?

AUDIENCE: Yes!

PETER: Yeah, I don't know.

Do you want another song?

AUDIENCE: Yes!

PETER: Say it one more time.

I couldn't hear.

Do you want another song?

AUDIENCE: Yes!

PETER: Do you want another song?

AUDIENCE: Yes!

PETER: And, nope, good- goodnight.

(audience laughing) (audience whistling) (audience cheering) (audience clapping in rhythm) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) Thank you so very much.

Merci beaucoup.

Have a great night.

See you soon.

(audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience clapping in rhythm) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience clapping in rhythm) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering) (audience cheering) (audience cheering) (audience clapping rhythmically) (audience clapping rhythmically) (audience clapping rhythmically) (audience clapping rhythmically) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) Again, thank you so much.

Merci beaucoup.

Have a great night.

(audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience applauding)