Valentin Carayol logo Valentin Carayol Composer · Pianist
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Music as
a living language.

Composer, concert pianist, and educator Valentin Carayol brings the classical repertoire, contemporary creation, and musical transmission into dialogue.

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Valentin Carayol at a grand piano
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Two musical worlds

Compose.
Perform.

Explore Valentin Carayol’s original works and his piano performances in two distinct collections.

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Cello and piano

Sur le Mot Homme

In tribute to Professor Yves Coppens

Cello · Cécile Guillon
Piano and composition · Valentin Carayol

Music for film · Orchestra

Genesis

Composer · Valentin Carayol

Commissioned for the documentary Dans les pas d’Yves Coppens, produced by the Association des Géologues du Centre-Loire.

Flute and orchestra
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Piano and orchestra
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Piano Agitato , concert étude

Composition · Valentin Carayol
Piano · Olivier Mallory

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Flute and piano Paradoxe , sonatina

Composition · Valentin Carayol
Flute · Céline Griboval
Piano · Sophie Suzzoni

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The Ancestor · Cello and piano Idylle des temps anciens

Instrumental excerpt from the musical and scientific tale The Ancestor.

Cello · Cécile Guillon
Piano and composition · Valentin Carayol

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The Ancestor · Cello and piano La Tempête

Instrumental excerpt from the musical and scientific tale The Ancestor.

Cello · Cécile Guillon
Piano and composition · Valentin Carayol

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The Ancestor · Cello and piano Largo

Instrumental excerpt from the musical and scientific tale The Ancestor.

Cello · Cécile Guillon
Piano and composition · Valentin Carayol

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Flute and piano · Also available for solo piano Pièce brève sur le nom de Francis Poulenc

Dedicated to Gabriel Tacchino

Composition · Valentin Carayol
Flute · Céline Griboval
Piano · Sophie Suzzoni

A tribute to Poulenc’s Pièce brève sur le nom d’Albert Roussel, the first work by Poulenc that Valentin Carayol performed and the piece that introduced him to the composer’s musical world.

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Piano Pastiche sur le nom de Mozart

Piano and composition · Valentin Carayol

Dedicated to Professor Yves Coppens as part of Valentin Carayol’s contribution to his book Mémoires de mammouth.

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The Ancestor · Music without narration View all recordings
01

Prélude et variations sur le nom de Toumaï

Cello · Cécile Guillon
Composition and piano · Valentin Carayol

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02

Fugue sur le nom de Toumaï

Cello · Cécile Guillon
Composition and piano · Valentin Carayol

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03

Les Voyages de l’Ancêtre

Cello · Cécile Guillon
Composition and piano · Valentin Carayol

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04

La Valse de Néandertal

Cello · Cécile Guillon
Composition and piano · Valentin Carayol

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05

L’Écho des couleurs

Cello · Cécile Guillon
Composition and piano · Valentin Carayol

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06

Gamelan javanais

Cello · Cécile Guillon
Composition and piano · Valentin Carayol

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Le Caprice de l’enfant

Cello · Cécile Guillon
Composition and piano · Valentin Carayol

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Makossa

Cello · Cécile Guillon
Composition and piano · Valentin Carayol

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09

La Chasse

Cello · Cécile Guillon
Composition and piano · Valentin Carayol

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Jour de Marché

Cello · Cécile Guillon
Composition and piano · Valentin Carayol

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11

Lucy’s Dream

Cello · Cécile Guillon
Vocals · Julie Alcaraz
Composition and piano · Valentin Carayol

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12

Abel

Cello · Cécile Guillon
Composition and piano · Valentin Carayol

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13

L’Éloge du doigt de pied

Cello · Cécile Guillon
Composition and piano · Valentin Carayol

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Idylle des temps anciens

Cello · Cécile Guillon
Composition and piano · Valentin Carayol

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15

La Tempête

Cello · Cécile Guillon
Composition and piano · Valentin Carayol

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Largo

Cello · Cécile Guillon
Composition and piano · Valentin Carayol

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Chamber music · Piano four hands

Norwegian Dances

Edvard Grieg

Excerpts from a 2015 recital at the Institut National des Jeunes Aveugles in Paris.

Piano · Galatée Berlioz and Valentin Carayol

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First Norwegian Dance Allegro moderato

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Second Norwegian Dance Allegretto tranquillo e grazioso

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Third Norwegian Dance Allegro moderato alla marcia

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Fourth Norwegian Dance Allegro molto

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Two hands holding a DNA double helix above the Earth

Major work

Illustrated musical and scientific tale · Narrator, cello, and piano

The Ancestor

A journey to the origins of humankind, where music, storytelling, and science meet onstage.

Music Storytelling Science

Written and composed by Valentin Carayol, this 90-minute tale is dedicated to Professor Yves Coppens. Available in English and French, the complete performance may be booked on request. It was initially developed and produced by RED MAMA Productions.

World preview in Paris · Auditorium Saint-Germain-des-Prés · 2025

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Valentin Carayol performing at the piano

COMPOSER
PIANIST

Biography

A life devoted
to music.

Valentin Carayol studied at the conservatory, the École Normale de Musique de Paris Alfred Cortot, and the Schola Cantorum. A concert pianist, composer, and educator, he performs in recital and chamber music while developing projects at the intersection of music, science, and storytelling.

International competitions · Composition IBLA Grand Prize New York · Most Distinguished Musician · 2023 & 2024
International competitions · Piano
  • Second Prize, Madeleine de Valmalète International Piano Competition, Virtuosity Level · 2011
  • First Prize, Concours Musical de France, piano four hands, Excellence Level · 2010
  • Unanimous First Prize with Jury Honors, Madeleine de Valmalète International Competition, piano four hands · 2010
Extraordinary Ability Holder of a U.S. O-1 visa
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Musical education

Rigorous instruction,
at your own pace.

Valentin Carayol teaches classical music with a strong emphasis on theoretical understanding, giving each student the tools to become progressively independent in their musical practice. Every course of study is tailored to the student’s chosen discipline — piano, music theory and ear training, chamber music, or composition — as well as their background and aspirations. Specialized preparation for examinations and competitions is also available.

Lessons are offered Monday through Thursday only.

Schedule

Book a lesson

Select your preferred lesson option and time. Your request will be personally confirmed based on availability.

Also an author

Where imagination
meets discovery.

Front cover of PREDICTA Back cover of PREDICTA Click to flip ↻

Novel

PREDICTA

What if the algorithm did not predict the future, but shaped it? A thriller about artificial intelligence, chance, and free will. Music also runs through the story through Mira, the pianist at its center.

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Front cover of GEOLOGY Back cover of GEOLOGY Click to flip ↻

Science

GEOLOGY

A clear, rigorous, and accessible introduction to rocks, landscapes, and the history of our planet.

Explore the book →