Pianist Lucas Debargue, who won fourth prize at the 2015 Tchaikovsky International Competition, has launched a new musical project that explores the compositions of American composer George Gershwin. This project features original interpretations of Gershwin’s songs, presented as a series of twelve études—short, technically challenging pieces often used to develop specific piano skills. These études complement Gershwin’s more famous works, such as his Piano Concerto in F and the preludes, offering fresh perspectives on his music. Debargue’s version of Rhapsody in Blue, one of Gershwin’s most well-known pieces, is based on the composer’s original solo piano arrangement. Debargue adds partially improvised cadenzas—musical passages that allow for personal expression—enhancing the piece with his own flair. The Piano Concerto in F showcases Debargue’s jazz roots, as he began his career performing in clubs. The Orchestre de Paris, led by conductor Elim Chan, provides accompaniment described as clear and precise, allowing Debargue’s interpretations to shine. In a program note, Debargue praises Gershwin as a maverick whose music defies time and place. The twelve études, he says, are not just interpretations but original compositions in their own right. They transform familiar Gershwin tunes into new forms, such as turning “Embraceable You” into a rumba and “Fascinating Rhythm” into a Parisian waltz. Another piece reimagines “It Ain’t Necessarily So” as a Fantasie, Chaconne et Fugue, echoing the structure of compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach. The twelfth étude features 20 rapid variations on the song “Summertime,” demonstrating both technical mastery and creative vision. Debargue’s performances are described as rhythmically alert and filled with imaginative flair, capturing both the spirit of Gershwin’s original works and the pianist’s unique artistic voice. This project is now available on popular streaming platforms such as Apple Music and Spotify, offering listeners a chance to explore Gershwin’s music through a fresh and innovative lens.