Morgan Franke on Music, Architecture, and C. Bechstein
A film series placing the world's most celebrated pianists inside the world's most iconic architecture — forging new dialogues between music and built space.
Honouring iconic architecture. Celebrating today's most remarkable pianists. Creating new dialogues between music and space.
The Monumental series pairs celebrated pianists with landmark buildings — from the Loire Valley's Château de Chenonceau to Frank Gehry's titanium-clad Guggenheim in Bilbao. Each film creates an unrepeatable encounter between sound and architecture.
The C.Bechstein grand piano becomes the connecting thread — not as a branded object, but as a cultural instrument in the fullest sense. Music, as the series insists, should be as accessible as the great museums themselves.
"We believe that music, like art, should be accessible and not confined to closed doors or exclusive concert halls. Museums symbolize freedom — and we want music to be similarly liberating."
Morgan Franke · Creative DirectorCould you elaborate on the concept behind the Monumental film series?
The series explores the intersection of music, art, and architecture by showcasing pianists in iconic monuments and museums. It's a delicate balance between avoiding a commercial approach, attracting press attention, and maintaining the essence of the C.Bechstein piano brand.
By featuring it in renowned spaces, we emphasize the intrinsic link between music, art, and society. The series brings an innovative perspective to familiar concert hall settings, allowing us to appreciate these monuments in a unique way.
What is the overarching artistic message you hope to communicate?
Initially, we sought to step away from the piano and our brand identity. As a company deeply connected to art and musicians, we wanted to convey a broader message about the symbiotic relationship between music and culture.
Our responsibility extends beyond selling pianos — it's about fostering an open approach to music. We believe that music, like art, should be accessible and not confined to closed doors or exclusive concert halls. Museums symbolize freedom, and we want music to be similarly liberating.
How did you select the participating artists and monuments?
The process was fluid, beginning with the pilot episode featuring Sofiane Pamart in the Château de Chenonceau — a UNESCO World Heritage site in France's Loire region. The irreverent modern-classical French composer, dubbed the "Piano King," brought his majestic personality and captivating sound to the grandiose palace.
It was in the very same castle that Debussy — who famously said that one should only compose piano music for the C.Bechstein — held his first concert to a coterie of France's 19th-century aristocracy. Connected in time through the luxurious setting and the C.Bechstein grand both played, the two French composers speak to the enduring appeal of extravaganza.
For the third film, Koki Nakano's avant-garde prepared piano meets the audacious Guggenheim in Bilbao. Frank Gehry's landmark monument of titanium lines and curves cradles the fluid movements of choreographer Tess Voelkner, who dances to Nakano's music occupying an ambiguous space both hard and soft.
What can audiences anticipate in future films?
We plan to continue exploring unique places globally with talented musicians. In a society in need of cultural unity, we aim to make the series a performance in its own right — establishing it as a concert outlet.
The concept remains consistent — exclusive locations, extraordinary musicians, and the quiet, irreplaceable presence of the piano. The series is ongoing, and we are actively seeking more locations that align with our vision.
The Episodes
Monumental — Series OverviewThe "Piano King" brings his majestic personality to the palace where Debussy held his very first concert. Two French composers, centuries apart, united by the same grand piano and the same setting.
UNESCO World HeritageZhang challenges the museumification of the past — bringing the neo-baroque building to life with the spirit of the classical canon, amidst one of Europe's most comprehensive sculpture collections.
UNESCO World HeritageAvant-garde prepared piano meets Frank Gehry's titanium landmark. Choreographer Tess Voelkner dances to Nakano's music in a space that is simultaneously hard and soft, fixed and fluid.
Frank Gehry ArchitectureC.Bechstein · Creative Direction: Morgan Franke