Introducing Ma mère l'Oye and Dolly Suite, Marie François on this collaboration project:

These two works of four-hand piano pieces by Fauré and Ravel was recorded with a very dear friend of mine from Paris, Simon Adda-Reyss. For me, four-hand piano music has always symbolized intimate, creative, fun evenings spent together with friends. Capturing that spirit in an EP felt very natural and human in a way. For the cover of this EP, I wanted something personal—something that not only resonates with the music and the collaboration it represents, but also captures who Simon and I are and who we aspire to be as musicians.
Instead of using a photo of us, I envisioned the cover as a small piece of art, something that reflects the personal essence of this project and vibes with the music. Fauré’s Dolly Suite and Ravel’s Ma mère l'Oye both draw on the world of children’s stories and folklore, capturing a sense of innocence and wonder that mirrors friendship and spontaneity.
The inspiration for the cover came unexpectedly, during a visit to my family’s friends. I struck up a conversation with their teenage son, Hugo (12yo), whom I’ve known since he was a toddler. Hugo, who has autism, has always had a unique way of seeing the world, and his mother mentioned his talent for drawing to me. I asked him, “If you think about four hands and a piano, what would you draw? How would that look like for you?” Within minutes, he created on my iPad this drawing that became the artwork for this EP.
Bringing this project to life in such a personal way is very important to me, and exactly the way I want to add something as a musician to the music industry. Having an artwork that’s as close to my heart as the music and the person I play it way, feels like the perfect way to share this new recording with the world.