Francis Planté (2 March 1839 – 19 December 1934) was a French pianist famed as one of the first ever recording artists.
Planté was born in Orthez. He studied piano under Antoine Marmontel, his career beginning at the age of seven in Paris. While there he met and befriended many like-minded musicians who would have a long-lasting effect on his career. These included Franz Liszt, with whom he played arrangements of two of Liszt's symphonic poems (Les Préludes, and Tasso, Lamento e Trionfo) for 2 pianos, Hector Berlioz, Gioachino Rossini, Charles Gounod, Felix Mendelssohn, Sigismond Thalberg and Charles-Marie Widor. It is also known that he himself heard Frédéric Chopin play, and because of this, his recordings - and indeed the one film available of him - are seen as a link to a 'lost world' of piano performance.He toured the concert platforms of Europe after leaving Paris, expanding his reputation for quality of tone and virtuosic, emotional interpretations. The death of his wife in 1908 resulted in him retiring from the stage, except for charity performances and concerts in aid of those wounded in the First World War. He had many pupils, including Alexander Brailowsky. He died in Saint-Avit.
Planté is featured in the 1999 DVD The Art of Piano, in which a short excerpt from the film of him playing Chopin's Étude in C, Op. 10 No. 7 can be seen.
Francis Planté's style is considered very different from modern-day recording artists. The recordings available suggest a more paced performance with a more prominent accent on each beat and with the notes more pronounced.
Recordings that Planté made include:
Chopin: Études Op. 10, Nos. 4, 5 and 7
Chopin: Études Op. 25, Nos. 1, 2, 9 and 11
Berlioz: Serenade
Mendelssohn: Scherzo in E, Op. 16, No. 3.
Boccherini: Minuet
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Some of their strengths
Francis Planté has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Diplomatic, Imaginative, Intelligent, Bold, Energetic, Optimistic, and Extroverted.
Soulful and Understanding
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Francis Planté is someone who is a soulful, understanding, and conscious person, who combines smarts with a deep talent for creativity and imagination. A person who really cares about helping others make the most of what they have.
Strong and Resilient
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Francis Planté well know them as someone who can be strong, expansive, and stable like a big tree.
Imaginative and Sentimental
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Francis Planté as someone who is imaginative, sentimental, and in touch with emotions.
A person who has extremely good memory and analytical skills, likes to make sure that everyone gets along, enjoys all kinds of situations and people, has a talent for travel and languages, and who makes lifelong friends.
Realistic and Skillful
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Francis Planté is someone who is able to separate emotions from reality, see the world in terms of right or wrong, and who is very good at getting things done.
They are also someone who is confident and creative, and who has a love for starting new projects, inventing new things, and giving back to the community.
Creative and Imaginative
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Francis Planté tends to be someone who is sensitive, imaginative, creative, and somewhat of a dreamer. Who is intuitive and compassionate, and who has a friendly, easygoing, calming and relaxing effect on people and for whom friends and family mean the world.
Some of Francis Planté's challenges
While Francis Planté has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Francis Planté can be Indecisive, Unrealistic, Hesitant, Narcissistic, Arrogant, Status-seeking, and Irritable.
Indecisive and Unrealistic
One of Francis Planté's key challenges is that they are someone who can come across as indecisive and unrealistic.
Francis Planté must also exercise caution as they can have difficulty dealing with responsibility, authority, or criticism.
Irritable and Moody
Francis Planté is someone who can be irritable and moody, have a tendency to experience self-doubt, be too secretive, can take too many risks, and who can have an extreme approach to managing personal finances.
Lethargic and Unrealistic
Finally, Francis Planté also can be too soft, lazy and lethargic, and who can have difficulty finding others who share a similarly dreamy outlook on life.
