French Resonances

French Resonances: A Franco-American Music Series

Project Authorship and Origin

French Resonances is an original concert and recording initiative conceived by pianist and cultural organizer Ayse Celasun, founder of Fine Arts Music – Performance and Scholarship (501(c)(3), Chicago).

Designed in Spring 2025, the project explores the deep artistic dialogue between French and American musical legacies. It was created and submitted under Ayse’s leadership to the Albertine Music Creative Grant in May 2025. The project combines iconic 20th-century works and new creation through performances and recordings of:

Igor Stravinsky – The Rite of Spring (composer’s original piano four-hands version)

Claude Debussy – La Mer (composer’s original piano four-hands version)

A newly commissioned work by a living French composer

The title, structure, program, artistic collaborators, and grant submission process were developed and directed entirely by Ayse Celasun. Any future use of this title, format, or content must be authorized by her in writing.

Artistic Vision

This program highlights composers who stood at cultural crossroads. Stravinsky, who lived in both France and the United States, played four-hand piano with Debussy — symbolic of the very bridges this project seeks to evoke. The third piece, a commissioned work, will bring a contemporary French voice into this lineage. The program is designed not only for concert performance but for high-quality recording, residencies, and possible educational outreach.

Future Development

French Resonances remains in development and open to new partnerships, venues, and funding avenues. All inquiries should be directed to:

Ayse Celasun
Founder and Artistic Director
Fine Arts Music – Performance and Scholarship
Email: info@fam-ps.org