I studied piano at the Antwerp Conservatory and at the Brabants Conservatory in Tilburg and obtained the master's degree of teaching and performing musician.
25 years ago I met Mr. De Tiège in Antwerp and we soon became friends. Not only was he my friend, but also my mentor. I was the only one (apart from his family) who was in daily contact with him until his death. Until the very last moment, he shared with me his latest discoveries and insights. His insights are so groundbreaking that they are going to unleash a revolution in the piano world. These insights need to be shared and spread as widely as possible. I have been teaching in the music school for more than 25 years, but after Mr De Tiège's death, I see it as my duty to continue his life's work in the best possible way and thus also appeal to a wider audience.
You can read more about Jacques De Tiège below.
Left: Jacques De Tiège, middle: Jurgen Degryse,
right: the Canadian pianist Marc-André Hamelin
Jacques De Tiège studied piano at the Brussels Conservatory, graduating after only 9 months in a 5-year course. He also took lessons with Maria Curcio in Amsterdam. Later, Leon Fleisher became a close friend and mentor to him.
Mr Fleisher invited him to perform in the USA and later to teach there; invitations Mr De Tiège never wanted to accept.
His life was one quest to unravel the secrets of piano playing. He followed all the great pianists. For instance, he travelled from Belgium to New York to hear Vladimir Horowitz play. Every book, every method, he studied thoroughly. He had a phenomenal memory, extraordinary hearing and a tremendous analytical insight. His teaching and his personality were overwhelming, and those are not only my words, but also the words of many concert pianists.
He coached internationally renowned pianists throughout his life. By traveling with him often, I got to know many pianists, and with some I still have a good contact.
Like other pianists, Mr De Tiège was fascinated by Zen. Zen was an important part of his thinking and his methodology. The circle, the logo for this website, is the zen circle or Ensō, and represents, among other things, self-realization. Mr De Tiège died in March 2022.
"Leif Ove Andsnes received invaluable advice from the Belgian piano teacher Jacques de Tiège who, like Hlinka, has greatly influenced his style and philosophy of playing."
Source: About | Leif Ove Andsnes. (z.d.). Accessed October29, 2022, van http://leifoveandsnes.com/about/
"Et puis surtout, j'ai rencontré un professeur de piano belge, un certain Jacques de Tiège, quelqu'un de peu connu, limite associal, mais que certains grands pianistes consultent. Un personnage qui possède une science pianistique comme jamais je n'en ai vu. Il a tout de suite décelé mon problème et m'a remis en selle."
Source: Porte, S. (2020, December 8). Le pianiste Bertrand Chamayou: “Travailler avec Pierre Boulez fut un moment très fort”. Télérama. https://www.telerama.fr/sortir/le-pianiste-bertrand-chamayou-travailler-avec-pierre-boulez-fut-un-moment-tres-fort,n6579442.php
"RIP JACQUES DE TIÈGE (2 February 1936- 21 March 2022)
Walking in for the first time in his lessons as a teenager, I had literally not the slightest idea of all that was awaiting me.But during six years on the conservatory it was Jacques who learnt me the true essence and craftsmanship of piano-playing. And – even more important – it was Jacques who learnt me how to shape music, how to listen, how to look for truth in any score, and – most important – how to be a musician of integrity.
His passion, dedication, conviction, knowledge and discipline had such power, such charisma. His heroes became quickly my heroes: Lipatti, Michelangeli, Horowitz, Fleischer, Celibidache. And of the younger generation Enrico Pace and Leif Ove Andsnes, with whom later – without words – the common music making was immediately founded on the principles of Jacques.
He learned me how to study, how to breathe, how to live for the music.There has been literally not a day ever since, that I have not been thinking of him and his invaluable advice and uncompromising lessons, that took sometimes far more hours than scheduled and needed more than weeks to process in my brains.Too many situations and moments come into my memory that made a crucial impact on me.For those who have known him, he will always stay legendary.
RIP, dear Jacques, you widened my musical world in multissimo-dimensions. Thank you for everything."
Source: Hermus, A. (2022, March 23). Facebook.https://www.facebook.com/antony.hermus/posts/10158157310860286
Watch a short documentary from 1999 about Jacques de Tiège (1936-2022), one of the most influential and outspoken piano teachers ever.
This grand piano, shown in the photos of this website, was one of Jacques' concert grands and was originally the grand piano chosen by Jorge Bolet for his concerts in Europe. Jorge Bolet preferred Baldwin to Steinway and even said, "Steinway is against me.”
After Jorge Bolet's death, this grand piano came to Jacques. This beautiful grand piano has since been entrusted to me and is used for BPS lessons.
So a concert grand with a rich history!
“The contradiction is the proof of the truth” - Alexis Weissenberg
Music Studio Uitkerke
Schaapstraat 5
8370 Uitkerke
