Colette Maze

Colette Maze (16 June 1914 – 19 November 2023) was a French classical pianist who studied with Alfred Cortot and Nadia Boulanger. She began recording in her 90s, with a preference for the music by Claude Debussy who was still alive when she was born. She released her seventh album in 2023, as possibly the oldest recording pianist. When she turned a centenarian, she became a favourite of social media. Her father, Léon Pierre Saulnier, was the manager of a fertilizer plant.

Recording When Maze was already in 90s, her son urged her to record, to preserve the tradition of Cortot's teaching, being one of his last surviving pupils, and her unique way of playing. While hesitant at first, she began recording on a Steinway piano in her apartment. from age 100.

Discography

Ryuichi Sakamoto: "Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence" Debussy: Images oubliée, No. 1 Piazzolla: Oblivion Gershwin: The Man I Love, Prelude, No. 2 Schumann: Fantaisie, Op. 111, Kinderszenen