Oldest professional pianist ever (female)

Parisian pianist Colette Maze (France, b. Colette Saulnier, 16 June 1914, d. 19 November 2023) released a new album of classical music at the age of 109 years 15 days. 109 ans de piano (“109 Years of Piano”) was the seventh and final album of her recording career, which began in 2004 at the age of 90. Released by Continuo Musique on 1 July 2023, the 19-piece collection features compositions by Ryuichi Sakamoto (“Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence”), Claude Debussy (“Images oubliées, L.87”), Astor Piazzolla (“Oblivion”), George Gershwin (“The Man I Love” and “Prélude No.2”) and Robert Schumann (“Fantaisie No.2, Op.111”, and the full set of 13 pieces that make up Kinderszenen, Op.15 (aka Scènes d’enfants; “Scenes from Childhood”), written by the German composer in 1838). Maze performed most of the album solo, with the guitarist Bertrand Cazé helping out on three of the tracks. Sadly, Maze passed away in Paris in November 2023, aged 109 years 156 days – but not before emerging as a social-media star in the wake of an inspiring interview in April 2023 to announce the release of the album.

Born into a musical family, Maze began playing the piano aged five and was educated at home until she was a teenager. In the 1920s and 1930s she attended École Normale de Musique de Paris, where she was taught by the renowned composer/conductor Nadia Boulanger and classical musician/conductor Alfred Cortot (the school’s co-founder).

Claude Debussy (1862–1918) – who was still alive when Maze was born – was the centenarian’s favourite composer, and she has performed a number of his pieces on her albums.

In later life, Maze remained devoted to her craft, playing for up to five hours a day on her Steinway, in an apartment overlooking the River Seine, to keep her mind sharp. “Music is life,” she said.