Today, at the age of 106, her playing still
exudes great tenderness and sitting at the piano - one of four
in her Paris apartment - her agile fingers seem to barely touch
the keys as she sways to the sounds of Schumann, Debussy and
Chopin.
"It's my food, my food for the spirit and for the heart", Maze,
a small, vivacious woman, told Reuters.
Born in 1914 into a middle class family, she was homeschooled by
her strict mother while her father managed a fertilizer plant.
She then went on to study at the Paris Ecole Normale de Musique
in Paris, a conservatoire in the 16th arrondissement, before
embarking on a long career as an accompanist at music schools in
the capital.
Maze, credits yoga and finger gymnastics for keeping her nimble.
If she stops playing she would need to feed her imagination
somehow. "But I need something touchable. You need to taste
candy, and my fingers need to feel the keys, to feel this," as
her feet reach for the pedals and she begins to play once more.
Maze has just recorded her sixth album - a three volume
recording of works by Debussy, slated to be released in April.
Last year, she recorded pieces by Debussy and another major
French composer, Erik Satie.
Her only son Fabrice Maze, born in 1949, says his mother is an
inspiration for others, especially during the times of the
COVID-19 pandemic.
"On one hand she helps morale. That at 106 you can be on good
form if you have passion and looks after yourself -- that’s good
news," he says.
"And then her sense of humour, her joy, her love of life, it
makes you smile."
(Reporting by Ardee Napolitano; Writing by Benoit Van
Overstraeten; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
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