Original piano improvisation “Every time you open a book” created especially for Albert Goes to Oxford
Pianist François-Xavier Poizat improvised and played the piano piece “Every Time You Open a Book” as the background music to accompany our book. It is a musical representation of melodies flying in the air, just like the books in the story. We unravel the story in more than one way: by introducing knowledge across sciences, travel around the world, art that gives life and movement to the narrative, and with a dedicated musical piece we aim to inspire the reader’s imagination to take off on their own knowledge adventure.
“When I was a child, practising the piano was great fun but at times it felt hard to keep focused for a long period of time. I remember I couldn't help but always end up improvising and playing with sonorities instead of practising! As an adult now, I still enjoy from time to time to forget about my musical duties and just let my fingers run on the keyboard and see how it sounds... Especially after a long day of recording, it was the perfect time to finish the recital while improvising on the tune we imagined together with Maria: some light and innocent melody, like the eyes of a child discovering a wonderful book, or the smile of another playing his favourite instrument”
— François-Xavier Poizat
Photograph by Kaupo Kikkas.
Learning from François-Xavier
When children study science, a musical instrument, or perform a sport, it’s important to remember to keep the inspiration flowing and allow time for engagement and creativity. In our website you will find activities you can do with your children to engage in fun ways with science, travel, books, languages and the arts - outside the book. Like François did when he was a child, help your children find the opportunity to engage with what they learn in a new and different way that inspires them - and watch the magic happen.
The pianist
Born in 1989 with Swiss, French and Chinese origins, pianist François-Xavier Poizat graduated from the Geneva and Hamburg Conservatory, from the Juilliard School in New York, and from the Santa Cecilia Academy in Rome with the teaching of Alexeï Golovin, Evgeni Koroliov, and Benedetto Lupo. It is Martha Argerich who propelled him onto the international stage by inviting him when he was 12 years old to the Pacific Music Festival in Japan. This marked the beginning of a career that has brought him to perform in already 28 countries in venues like the Victoria Hall in Geneva, the Tonhalle in Zürich, the Konzerthaus and Philharmonie in Berlin, the Seoul Art Center, the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, and the Carnegie Hall in New York.
Photo by Jacques Philippet.
Victoria Hall Geneva, June 2022
Playing the piano at 7
Watch François-Xavier playing the piano at the show “L'École des Fans” on France 2 channel, February 1997. He is playing a few movements from the “Peter and the Wolf Suite” of Sergei Prokofiev. During the discussion in French, it is mentioned that at seven years old he has been playing the piano already for three years, though neither his parents played.
Besides a heartwarming video showing François’s love and talent for the piano from a very young age, it is a reminder that we can introduce our children early to music, arts and science and support them in developing their interests and skills.
We have created some art activities from colouring scenes of the book to attending children concerts. If you would like to learn more, visit our art activities section below.