Thibault Cauvin’s guitar concert strikes a chord with Dhaka audience

Thibault Cauvin mesmerised the audience with just an acoustic guitar in his hands, at his first concert in Bangladesh, recently. Organised by Alliance Française de Dhaka, in association with the Embassy of France in Bangladesh, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), Oryx Bangladesh and Gandharbpur Water Treatment SNC, a joint venture of Suez International and OTV-Veolia, the classical guitar concert was held in the National Theatre Hall of BSA, Dhaka. Jean-Marin SCHUH, Ambassador of France to Bangladesh, attended the event as the chief guest.

Thibault, the award-winning French guitarist, is famed for his unique style. He is the only guitarist to have won 13 international first prizes. He has toured 120 countries in the last 15 years, playing at some of the most prestigious locations around the world. He has performed at a thousand solo guitar concerts. Venues that Thibault performed at include the New York Carnegie Hall, Moscow Tchaikovsky Hall, Shanghai Concert Hall and London Queen Elizabeth Hall, to name a few. His latest album, Cities and Cities ll, is inspired by all the places that he has visited. The influences of the different people and cultures that he has come across in his travels, are evident in his music.

When the celebrated musician took to the stage, the seats in the auditorium were already filled up. Traces of the music of Rio, Berlin and Istanbul were evident in his performances. During Sakura, a piece inspired by Japan, his guitar produced the sharp melodies of a koto, a Japanese string instrument. When he played the piece, Calcutta, his guitar resembled the sounds of a sitar. His performances narrated stories of the nomads in the Sahara Desert and of Ulan Bator while it was reigned by Genghis Khan.  

Towards the end of the concert, Thibault and renowned Bangladeshi flutist Gazi Abdul Hakim, shared the stage. The melodies from the guitar and the flute were a treat for the audience. Lastly, Thibault played another piece, written by his father Philippe Cauvin. His father, a composer himself, gifted the piece to Thibault on his thirteenth birthday.

Thibault described Dhaka as a vibrant and lively city, and stated that he would love to compose a musical piece about it. After his concert in Dhaka, the musician is set to perform in Paris.