In a recent interview, Maze told Le Figaro her new album will feature piano works by Gershwin, Schumann, and Debussy, with the obvious yet astonishing title of 108 Years of Piano.
For over a century, she has been surrounded by music. At two years old, young Colette first heard the children of her family’s upstairs neighbours playing the piano. She then began to pick out the melodies herself with one finger, prompting her parents to start her with piano lessons.
At 15 she was accepted to study at the prestigious École Normale de Musique in Paris, taking lessons from legendary teachers Alfred Cortot and Nadia Boulanger.
Since the age of 18 she has lived in an apartment on the 14th floor of a building that overlooks Paris. She worked as a music teacher for many years, with the piano.
When she was 84, she released her first album. Then, nearly 20 years later, at 103 years old, she recorded an album of her favorite composer, Debussy.
The release of her new recordings, which showcase her remarkable depth of musicianship and insight, are expected in the spring.
Maze says she still practices her instrument for four hours a day and retains incredible health, movement and dexterity.
“The hard part,” she says, “Is keeping up regular practice. You have to practice a lot… at school you have to train your mind every day, but that goes so quickly, if you don’t practice regularly.”