Saint-Ephrem Church
17 rue des Carmes - 75005 Paris
Capacity 100 seats
Candlelight Concert Series at Saint-Ephrem Church
Location
Duration
1 h 15 min
No intermission
Details
Candlelight Piano Recitals
For all audiences
No dialogue
Highlights: Candlelight Concert Series at Saint-Ephrem Church
If you think you’ve seen everything there is to see in Paris, you may be mistaken. The charming streets, the characteristic shopfronts and cafés, the banks of the Seine, the unique Montmarte district, the awesome immensity of the Arc de Triomphe, the iconic Eiffel Tower, the limitless wonders of the Louvre, and yet still… Paris has other beauties to offer you.
Hidden amongst the bustle of Paris’ 5th arrondissement, on the Montagne Sainte-Geneviève and nestled within the Sorbonne district, stands a small church dedicated to Saint Ephrem, otherwise known as the “The Harp of the Holy Spirit”. This hair-raisingly magnificent space plays host to a series of beautiful candlelit concerts, conducted in complete privacy in an ethereal environment, enhanced by the gentle illumination of candlelight. Young artists from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris come to perform here to enchant lovers of music and of historical monuments alike. Paris has more to offer in these intimate and little-known spaces such as Saint-Ephrem church… don’t miss this enchanting experience!
Story: Candlelight Concert Series at Saint-Ephrem Church
Listen to the most beloved scores by Beethoven, Bach, Chopin, Liszt, or Rachmaninoff as played by the talented fingers of young pianists from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris – an internationally acclaimed institution in the field of music. This unmissable experience is only elevated by the intimacy of its setting, burrowed silently within the beating heart of Paris, in a historically rich venue that glows with candlelight. All the beauty of the scores of the great composers will fill the soaring hall of the Saint-Ephrem church; in tandem with the dancing glow of the candles, you will bear witness to a transcendental and almost mystical atmosphere. An experience not to be missed!
Concert programme
Monday, November 27, 2023 at 8:00 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Natasha Kadyrova (piano)
Tchaikovsky: "Waltz of the Flowers" from The Nutcracker, Valse sentimentale
Rachmaninoff: Elegy, Études-Tableaux
Chopin: Nocturnes, Mazurkas
Tuesday, November 28th, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
Chopin Candlelight concert with Teva Mazoyer (piano)
Programme Coming Soon
Wednesday, November 29th, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Elio di Tanna (piano)
Satie: Gymnopédies
Liszt: Tarentella, Liebesträume
Beethoven: Sonate pathétique
Handel: Passacaille
Thursday, November 30th, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Sébastien Hurtaud (cello)
Bach: Suites n° 2, n° 3 and n° 4
Friday, December 1st, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Adrien Polycarpe (piano)
Schubert: Impromptus
Satie: Gymnopédies
Chopin: Nocturnes
Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata
Saturday, December 2nd, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Pascal Mantin (piano)
Chopin: Waltzes, Nocturnes, Ballades, Polonaises
Sunday, December 3rd, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Remi Masunaga (piano)
Chopin: Ballade, Preludes, Waltzes, Polonaise Militaire
Liszt: Consolation and Rhapsodie hongroise
Monday, December 4th, 2023 at 8:00 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Natasha Kadyrova (piano)
Tchaikovsky: "Waltz of the Flowers" from The Nutcracker, Valse sentimentale
Rachmaninov: Elégie, Études -Tableaux
Chopin: Nocturnes, Mazurkas
Tuesday, December 5th, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Loann Fourmental (piano)
Chopin: Nocturnes and Preludes
Schumann: Fantasy
Beethoven: Sonate pathétique
Wednesday, December 6th, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
Chopin Candlelight concerts with Elio di Tanna (piano)
Works by Chopin heard in the famous film The Pianist
Chopin: Waltzes, Nocturnes, Mazurkas, Polonaise brillante
Thursday, December 7th, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Adrien Polycarpe (piano)
Schubert: Impromptus
Satie: Gymnopédies
Chopin: Nocturnes
Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata
Friday, December 8th, 2023 at 8:00 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Antonin Bonnet (piano) and Krzysztof Michalski (cello)
Brahms and Racchmaninoff: Sonatas for piano and cello
Saturday, December 9th, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Magdalena Rebacz (cello)
Bach: Cello Suites
Sunday, December 10th, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Natasha Kadyrova (piano)
Tchaikovsky: "Waltz of the Flowers" from The Nutcracker, Sentimental Waltz
Rachmaninoff: Elegy, Études -Tableaux
Chopin: Nocturnes, Mazurkas
Monday, December 11th, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Loann Fourmental (piano)
Chopin: Nocturnes and Preludes
Schumann: Fantasy
Beethoven: Sonate pathétique
Tuesday, December 12th, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
Chopin Candlelight concerts with Elio di Tanna (piano)
Works by Chopin heard in the famous film The Pianist
Chopin: Waltzes, Nocturnes, Mazurkas, Polonaise brillante
Wednesday, December 13th, 2023 at 8:00 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Adrien Polycarpe (piano)
Schubert: Impromptus
Satie: Gymnopédies
Chopin: Waltzes, Nocturnes, Preludes
Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata
Friday, December 15th, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
Chopin Candlelight concerts with Elio di Tanna (piano)
Works by Chopin heard in the famous film The Pianist
Chopin: Waltzes, Nocturnes, Mazurkas, Polonaise brillante
Saturday, December 16th, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
Candlelight concerts with Fréderic Moreau (violin) and Pascal Mantin (piano)
Mozart: Sonata
Beethoven: Spring Sonata
Liszt: Campanella
Sarasate: Carmen Fantasy
Massenet: "Méditation" from Thaïs
Saturday, December 16th, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Remi Masunaga (piano)
Chopin: Ballade, Preludess, Waltzes, Polonaise Militaire
Liszt: Consolation and Hungarian Rhapsody
Sunday, December 17th, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
Piano trios
Candlelight concert with Pierre-Yves Denis (violin), Pierre Charles (cello) and Marion André (piano)
Rachmaninov: Elegiac Trio
Dvorak: Dumky
Brahms: Trio n°1
Monday, December 18th, 2023 at 8:00 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Natasha Kadyrova (piano)
Tchaikovsky: "Waltz of the Flowers" from The Nutcracker, Sentimental Waltz
Rachmaninoff: Elegy, Études -Tableaux
Chopin: Nocturnes, Mazurkas
Tuesday, December 19th, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Adrien Polycarpe (piano)
Schubert: Impromptus
Satie: Gymnopédies
Chopin: Waltzes, Nocturnes, Preludes
Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata
Wednesday, December 20th, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Loann Fourmental (piano)
Chopin: Nocturnes and Preludes
Schumann: Fantasy
Beethoven: Sonate pathétique
Friday, December 22nd, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. ★ Christmas Concert ★
Christmas Candlelight concert with Adrien Polycarpe (piano)
Schubert: Impromptus
Satie: Gymnopédies
Chopin: Waltzes, Nocturnes, Preludes
Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata
Saturday, December 23rd, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. ★ Christmas Concert ★
Christmas Candlelight concerts with Fréderic Moreau (violin) and Pascal Mantin (piano)
Mozart: Sonata
Beethoven: Spring Sonata
Liszt: Campanella
Sarasate: Carmen Fantaisie
Massenet: "Méditation" from Thaïs
Saturday, December 23rd, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. ★ Christmas Concert ★
Christmas Candlelight concert with Pascal Mantin (piano)
Chopin: Waltzes, Nocturnes, Ballades, Polonaises
Sunday, December 24th, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. ★ Christmas Concert ★
Christmas Candlelight concert with Magdalena Rebacz (cello)
Bach: Cello Suites
Monday, December 25th, 2023 at 3:30 p.m. ★ Christmas Concert ★
Christmas Candlelight concert with Fréderic Moreau (violin) and Pascal Mantin (piano)
Mozart: Sonata
Beethoven: Spring Sonata
Liszt: Campanella
Sarasate: Carmen Fantasy
Massenet: "Méditation" from Thaïs
Monday, December 25th, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. ★ Christmas Concert ★
Christmas Candlelight concert with Pascal Mantin (piano)
Chopin: Waltzes, Nocturnes, Ballades, Polonaises
Tuesday, December 26th, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Yanis Boudris (cello)
Bach: Cello Suites
Tuesday, December 26th, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Adrien Polycarpe (piano)
Schubert: Impromptus
Satie: Gymnopédies
Chopin: Waltzes, Nocturnes, Preludes
Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata
Thursday, December 28th, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Adrien Polycarpe (piano)
Schubert: Impromptus
Satie: Gymnopédies
Chopin: Waltzes, Nocturnes, Preludes
Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata
Friday, December 29th, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
With Orchestre Les Violons de France
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons
Friday, December 29th, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Pascal Mantin (piano)
Chopin: Waltzes, Nocturnes, Ballades, Polonaises
Saturday, December 30th, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
Candlelight concerts with Fréderic Moreau (violin) and Pascal Mantin (piano)
Mozart: Sonata
Beethoven: Spring
Liszt: Campanella
Sarasate: Carmen Frantaisie
Massenet: Meditation de Thaïs
Saturday, December 30th, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. ★ New Year's Concert ★
Candlelight concert with Adrien Polycarpe (piano)
Schubert: Impromptus
Satie: Gymnopédies
Chopin: Waltzes, Nocturnes, Preludes
Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata
Sunday, December 31st, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. ★ New Year's Eve Concert ★
New Year's Eve Candlelight concert with Remi Masunaga (piano)
Chopin: Ballade, Preludes, Waltzes, Polonaise Militaire
Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody
Bach: Goldberg Variations
Debussy: Moonlight
Sunday, December 31st, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. ★ New Year's Eve Concert ★
New Year's Eve Candlelight concert with Pascal Mantin (piano)
Chopin: Waltzes, Nocturnes, Ballades, Polonaises
Monday, January 1st, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. ★ New Year's Concert ★
New Year's Candlelight concert with Adrien Polycarpe (piano)
Schubert: Impromptus
Satie: Gymnopédies
Chopin: Waltzes, Nocturnes, Preludes
Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata
Monday, January 1st, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. ★ New Year's Concert ★
New Year's Candlelight concert with Fréderic Moreau (violin) and Pascal Mantin (piano)
Mozart: Sonata
Beethoven: Spring
Liszt: Campanella
Sarasate: Carmen Frantaisie
Massenet: Meditation de Thaïs
Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Remi Masunaga (piano)
Chopin: Ballade, Preludes, Waltzes, Polonaise Militaire
Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody
Bach: Goldberg Variations
Debussy: Moonlight
Wednesday, January 3rd, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Fréderic Moreau (violin) and Pascal Mantin (piano)
Mozart: Sonata
Beethoven: Spring
Paganini: Campanella
Thursady, January 4th, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Pascal Mantin (piano)
Chopin: Waltzes, Nocturnes, Ballades, Polonaises
Friday, January 5th, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Antonin Bonnet (piano) and Krzysztof Michalski (cello)
Brahms and Rachmaninoff: Sonatas for piano and cello
Saturday, January 6th, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Krzysztof Michalski (cello)
Bach: Cello Suites
Saturday, January 6th, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Remi Masunaga (piano)
Chopin: Ballade, Preludes, Waltzes, Polonaise Militaire
Liszt: Consolation and Hungarian Rhapsody
Sunday, January 7th, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Adrien Polycarpe (piano)
Schubert: Impromptus
Satie: Gymnopédies
Chopin: Waltzes, Nocturnes, Preludes
Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata
Monday, January 8th, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Natasha Kadyrova (piano)
Tchaikovsky: "Waltz of the Flowers" from The Nutcracker, Sentimental Waltz
Rachmaninoff: Elegy, Études -Tableaux
Chopin: Nocturnes, Mazurkas
Wednesday, January 10th, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Chopin recital
Candlelight concerts with Elio di Tanna (piano)
Works by Chopin heard in the famous film The Pianist
Chopin: Waltzes, Nocturnes, Mazurkas, Polonaise brillante
Thursday, January 11th, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Adrien Polycarpe (piano)
Schubert: Impromptus
Satie: Gymnopédies
Chopin: Waltzes, Nocturnes, Preludes
Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata
Friday, January 12th, 2024 at 8:00 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Antonin Bonnet (piano)
Chopin: Nocturne, Ballades, Études
Saturday, January 13th, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Natasha Kadyrova (piano)
Tchaikovsky: "Waltz of the Flowers" from The Nutcracker, Sentimental Waltz
Rachmaninoff: Elegy, Études -Tableaux
Chopin: Nocturnes, Mazurkas
Sunday, January 14th, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. y
Candlelight concert with Antonin Bonnet (piano) and Krzysztof Michalski (cello)
Brahms and Rachmaninoff: Sonatas for piano and cello
Monday, January 15th, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Pascal Mantin (piano)
Chopin : Waltzes, Nocturnes, Ballades, Polonaises
Tuesday, January 16th, 2024 at 8:00 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Adrien Polycarpe (piano)
Schubert: Impromptus
Satie: Gymnopédies
Chopin: Waltzes, Nocturnes, Preludes
Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata
Wednesday, January 17th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
Concert aux chandelles avec Loann Fourmental (piano)
Chopin: Nocturnes et Préludes
Schumann: Fantasie
Beethoven: Sonate pathétique
Thursday, January 18th, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Chopin Candlelight concerts with Elio di Tanna (piano)
Works by Chopin heard in the famous film The Pianist
Chopin: Waltzes, Nocturnes, Mazurkas, Polonaise brillante
Friday, January 19th, 2024 at 8:00 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Krzysztof Michalski (violoncelle)
Bach: Cello Suites
Saturday, January 20th, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Pascal Mantin (piano)
Chopin: Waltzes, Nocturnes, Ballades, Polonaises
Sunday, January 21st, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Adrien Polycarpe (piano)
Schubert: Impromptus
Satie: Gymnopédies
Chopin: Waltzes, Nocturnes, Preludes
Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata
Monday, January 22nd, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Natasha Kadyrova (piano)
Tchaikovsky: "Waltz of the Flowers" from The Nutcracker, Sentimental Waltz
Rachmaninoff: Elegy, Études -Tableaux
Chopin: Nocturnes, Mazurkas
Wednesday, January 24th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Adrien Polycarpe (piano)
Schubert: Impromptus
Satie: Gymnopédies
Chopin: Waltzes, Nocturnes, Preludes
Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata
Thursday, January 25th, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Chopin Candlelight concerts with Elio di Tanna (piano)
Works by Chopin heard in the famous film The Pianist
Chopin: Waltzes, Nocturnes, Mazurkas, Polonaise brillante
Friday, January 26th, 2024 at 8:00 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Martin Beau (piano)
Chopin: Ballades, Nocturnes
Schubert: Impromptus
Scriabin: Seven preludes
Saturday, January 27th, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Antonin Bonnet (piano) and Krzysztof Michalski (cello)
Brahms and Rachmaninoff: Sonatas for piano and cello
Sunday, January 28th, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Remi Masunaga (piano)
Chopin: Ballade, Preludes, Waltzes, Polonaise Militaire
Liszt: Consolation and Hungarian Rhapsody
Monday, January 29th, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Loann Fourmental (piano)
Chopin: Nocturnes et Preludes
Schumann: Fantasy
Beethoven: Sonate pathétique
Tuesday, January 30th, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Adrien Polycarpe (piano)
Schubert: Impromptus
Satie: Gymnopédies
Chopin: Waltzes, Nocturnes, Preludes
Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata
Wednesday, January 31st, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Candlelight concert with Martin Beau (piano)
Chopin: Ballades, Nocturne
Schubert: Impromptus
Scriabin: Seven preludes
Reviews
Great place for a small piano recital. I saw a local pianist play Liszt, Debussy, Chopin, etc. The old church was dimly lit with candles. Great atmosphere. I don’t speak French at all but I play piano. With the music, there was no language barrier. Loved it!
Csaba
5 months ago
A breathtaking performance by two phenomenal musicians performing a mix of Mozart and Beethoven on violin and piano. If you have a spare evening in Paris, it’s well worth the effort.
Coco
5 months ago
Saint-Ephrem Church
17 rue des Carmes - 75005 Paris
History and Fun Facts about Saint-Ephrem Church
Amidst its world-famous monuments and locations, any local will let you know that there is more to Paris than meets the eye. Should you stumble across one of its many little-known gems, it might feel tempting to keep it to yourself. However, it is precisely this characteristically Parisian “je-ne-sais-quoi” of mystery, of beauty, and of elusivity that is so universally appealing – a kind of tranquil allure that you want to share. The church of Saint-Ephrem, nestled in Paris’ bustling 5th arrondissement within the Sorbonne district, is just one of these charming yet little-known locations.
The Saint-Ephrem church stands on the site of the Collège des Lombards, the third chapel to be built on these grounds. This college was founded in 1334 for Italian students, and would later become the Collège des Irlandais, responsible for training missionaries for the conversion of England in 1677.
In 1925, the Paris City Council bought the church of Saint-Ephrem, giving it the status of a Syriac Catholic Mission. Its arresting facade is adorned with a Baroque-style portal, reminiscent of that of the church of Saint Andrew of the Quirinal in Rome – a stunning invitation to enter and rest after a long walk exploring Paris, and to listen to a beautiful piano recital whilst ensconced in the gentle glow of candlelight.
Fast facts Capacity: 100 Handicap Accessible: No Air conditioning: No Heating: Yes
FAQ
How do I get to Saint-Ephrem Church in the 5th arrondissement of Paris?
The Sainte-Ephrem church is accessible by: Metro lines: You can take line 10 to Maubert-Mutualité, line 7 to Jussieu, or the RER B to Luxembourg. Bus lines: The church is accessible by the bus lines 38, 47, 63, 72, 84, 86 which go to the following bus stations: Collège de France, Maubert-Mutualité, Panthéon, Lycée Henri IV. Our customer service can be reached in case of difficulty from 10 am to 7 pm, Monday to Friday. For more information, please consult the map above.
What do I do when I get to the Saint-Ephrem Church in Paris?
We invite you to arrive 30 minutes before the beginning of the candlelight concerts, and present your voucher at the front desk.
How long do the candlelight concerts at Saint-Ephrem last?
The candlelight concerts last approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, with no intermission.
Can I take photos during the candlelight concerts?
In order not to disturb the artists on stage, and for the comfort of other guests, you are not permitted to photograph, film, or record the performance for the duration of the candlelight concerts. As long as the performance is not currently in session, feel free to take a snapshot of the Saint-Ephrem Church to remember your night out!
Are the candlelight concerts at the Saint-Ephrem Church for an international audience or French speakers?
Both! The Saint-Ephrem Church welcomes audiences from all over the world! The candle light concerts are in the universal language of music, and are therefore accessible to anyone from any corner of the world.
Does the Saint-Ephrem Church have a specific dress code?
There is no specific dress code but proper attire is appreciated for the candlelight concerts at the Saint-Ephrem Church in Paris.
Is tipping customary at the Saint-Ephrem Church?
Tips are not mandatory. However, ushers will usually appreciate a small tip of between €2 and €5, which you can give them when they’ve shown you to your seat. Fun fact: the French word for “tip” is “pourboire”, which literally translates to “to have a drink”.