Festival Piano Pic

A piano festival at the summit

Born in 1997 from the will of two musician friends, pianist Pierre Réach and cellist Christophe Baillet, the Festival Piano Pic has established itself as one of the main classical music festivals in the Occitanie region. The adventure began with a historic concert at the summit of the Pic du Midi de Bigorre at 2,800 meters altitude, on a grand piano transported by helicopter. This founding act gave birth to the György Sebök Academy and then to the festival, initially named "Piano aux Pyrénées" before adopting the name "Piano Pic" in 2006.

Concerts in exceptional heritage sites

Every late July, the festival unfolds its program in the heritage sites of the Haut-Adour and Gaves valleys: the Temple of Bagnères, the churches of Campan, Gerde and Baudéan, the Palmarium of the Grands Thermes in Bagnères-de-Bigorre, and the majestic Abbey of l'Escaladieu. These historically rich places offer remarkable acoustics and an inspiring setting for both performers and the audience.

World-renowned pianists and instrumentalists

Each year, the festival hosts world-renowned pianists and instrumentalists. The program combines solo piano recitals, chamber music, and symphonic evenings with the Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse and the Orchestre de Chambre de Toulouse. Each edition offers about fifteen concerts, providing a rich panorama of the classical and romantic repertoire.

A training festival-academy

Beyond the concerts, Piano Pic is also a high-level music training academy. The György Sebök Academy, named after the great Hungarian pianist who inspired the founders, welcomes young talents from around the world for masterclasses and intensive training. The Orchestra Academy forms a temporary symphony orchestra, the Orchestre Symphonique des Pyrénées, which gives two concerts during the festival, allowing young musicians to perform alongside seasoned soloists.