François Mathian

François Mathian

Composer and performer

Tourmente

Piano and viola

Also on Spotify · Apple Music · Deezer

Tourmente is chamber music in the classical spirit, written for piano and viola as equal partners, each bringing its own part and its own intensity. It was inspired by a new viola made by the luthier Carbonare in Mirecourt, whose sound suited a passionate awakening of the soul. Written for the concert stage, it carries the drama and energy of music meant to be played live.

François Mathian playing the violin against a dark background

Current release

Innocence

Piano

Released 24 July 2026 · 2:16

This piece captures a quiet sense of wonder through its delicate, expressive piano writing. The melody unfolds with remarkable simplicity, allowing every note to carry emotional weight without feeling overstated.

Edanur

Innocence is about keeping a strong, innocent core: moving from the naive towards awareness, and from fragility towards strength and resilience. François played and recorded the piano himself. He conceived the piece from the start for the concert stage and for new instrumental settings, and its harmony travels through rich modulations that come alive in performance.

Also on Spotify · Apple Music · Deezer

Ask Soulbow about this score

Innocence

Harp and flute

Released 30 September 2026 · 1:48

Đan Vy · Yenflute

Harp and flute intertwine like the soundtrack to a forgotten fairy tale.

Nagamag

Innocence for harp and flute is performed by Đan Vy on harp and Yenflute on flute. The flute carries the melodic line over the harp's continuous figuration, and the piece closes on a full, resolved chord. Recorded in Ho Chi Minh City and mastered by Martyn Heyne at Lichte Studios.

Also on Spotify · Apple Music · Deezer

Ask Soulbow about this score

Concerts

16 and 17 October 2026 · 19:30

Voice of Nature

Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory112 Nguyễn Du, Bến Thành Ward, Ho Chi Minh City

Nature's story told in music, in three parts: Grandeur, Destruction and Rebirth, with a flute trio for four of the pieces. Proud to be part of the La Music string ensemble.

Programme

Grandeur

  • Morning Mood, Edvard Grieg
  • Greensleeves, traditional
  • Flying, Matt Riley
  • Wild Flower, first movement, Eric Ewazen
  • Colors of the Wind, Alan Menken

Destruction

  • Aquarium, from The Carnival of the Animals, Camille Saint-Saëns
  • Alice's Theme, from Alice in Wonderland, Danny Elfman
  • Summer, Antonio Vivaldi
  • Cornfield Chase, Hans Zimmer
  • Deep Blue, Ian Clarke

Rebirth

  • A surprise piece
  • Suite Antique, first movement, John Rutter
  • Spring, Herman Beeftink
  • Dance of the Woods, Herman Beeftink
  • How to Train Your Dragon, suite, John Powell

View the poster

Poster for Every Finger Tells a Story, with François Mathian on violin, Ju Sun Young on piano and Elaine Lee on cello

25 October 2026 · 15:00

Every Finger Tells a Story

Những Ngón Tay Kể Chuyện

Edu Music Nguyễn Hạ618 đường 3/2, Diên Hồng Ward, Ho Chi Minh City

A piano trio afternoon with Ju Sun Young on piano and Elaine Lee on cello. Café Music returns at the request of a listener from the trio's September concert at the Saigon History Museum.

Programme
  • Café Music, Paul Schoenfeld

Heard by others

One of the most moving slices of instrumental music I have heard for quite some time, and certainly the most poignant.

One World Music Radio · on Survivors

The production and mix are just perfect and tones of the instruments are so warm and performance is sublime. Really a flawless track.

Active Light Records · on Beyond Yonder

The piano and viola complement each other beautifully, with the viola adding just enough warmth and depth to make the melody feel even more expressive.

Edanur · on Bords de Seine

Melodies flow like the water! This composition strikes the listener in the heart.

Kiraz Müzik · on Just a Few Steps Away

About

I am a violinist and composer based in Ho Chi Minh City. I trained in music and in science in Lyon, and spent years touring and recording as a jazz and rock violinist with many bands in France before building my own catalogue in Australia. Today I write for small ensembles, play my music on violin and viola with the musicians who perform it with me, and record at Soulbow, my studio. I write for the concert stage as much as for the recording, and each new arrangement of a piece becomes a work of its own.

François Mathian looking down at his violin, on a grey background

Contact

info@soulbow.com