DESIGN - RAPHAËL SOUDRE, CO-FOUNDER & CHIEF BRAND OFFICER, ALPANGE: “WHAT EXCITES US IS WRITING A NEW PAGE IN MUSICAL LUXURY” (France)
Alpange redefines musical luxury by creating instruments combining traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology for exclusive spaces. |
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DESIGN - RAPHAËL SOUDRE, CO-FOUNDER & CHIEF BRAND OFFICER, ALPANGE: “WHAT EXCITES US IS WRITING A NEW PAGE IN MUSICAL LUXURY” (France)
Alpange redefines musical luxury by creating instruments combining traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology for exclusive spaces. |
Catégorie : Europe - France - Économie du secteur
- Interviews et portraits
- Produits et Fournisseurs
- Tendances, avis d'expert - Fournisseurs - Interviews
Interview de Sonia Taourghi le 06-03-2025
 Franck Bacquet et Raphaël Soudre, cofounders of Alpange
Crédit photo © Alpange
Alpange pianos embody a perfect harmony of contradictions: they honour three centuries of traditional piano-making while boldly embracing cutting-edge technology. They create instruments of uncompromising exclusivity while making musical experiences more accessible to enthusiasts beyond accomplished pianists. They present themselves as sculptural works of art while functioning as practical and versatile musical tools for luxury environments.
Alpange presents an intriguing proposition for the luxury hospitality industry: a distinctive sensory signature that can enrich guests' experiences through personalised musical atmospheres. The brand's future vision extends beyond individual instruments to collaborations with haute couture houses, prestigious watchmakers, legendary palaces and contemporary artists - transforming the piano from an object into a symbol of ultimate refinement and desire. In Soudre's ambitious vision, Alpange does not simply reinvent the piano; it creates a new chapter in musical luxury for those who seek the extraordinary.
Journal des Palaces: tell us about the birth of Alpange and the original mission.
Raphaël Soudre: Alpange was born out of a strong ambition: to create the piano of our time.
An instrument that embodies the heritage of 300 years of traditional craftsmanship while integrating cutting-edge technologies at the service of the three great fundamentals of music: feeling, expression and sharing.
The idea originated in the heart of the Alps, where I live part of the year, and came to fruition thanks to my meeting with Franck Bacquet, a passionate engineer.
Together, we imagined a piano that responds to today's musicians' new needs and uses while allowing even those who do not play the piano to experience musical emotion more intensely and frequently.
Beyond the technology and the musical experience, we also wanted to re-enchant the ‘piano object’. This is achieved through a timeless design and the exploration of new colours and materials, bringing an additional dimension of refinement and exclusivity.
While the Alpange piano is highly technological, we have done everything we can to ensure that this technology is secondary to the musical experience. Each interaction has been designed to be simple and intuitive, so only the emotion remains. Inspired by French excellence, we have designed a unique instrument dedicated to a demanding clientele in search of beauty and innovation.
Your philosophy emphasises innovation and accessibility. How do you balance maintaining exclusivity while making musical experiences more accessible to as many people as possible?
At Alpange, accessibility does not mean democratisation but the opportunity for those who want it to enjoy an exceptional musical experience. Thanks to our innovations, we create a unique sound immersion where technology serves emotion without ever hindering it. Our pianos incorporate cutting-edge sound and connectivity technologies, but their sophistication does not require you to be an expert to get the most out of them. The Alpange experience is designed to be intuitive and immediate, allowing everyone, whether an accomplished musician or a simple music lover, to access outstanding sound quality and expressiveness.
Alpange is at the intersection of music, design, technology and the luxury lifestyle. How do you approach partnership development while maintaining your brand's distinctive identity?
We don't try to be everywhere, but in the right places, with those who share our quest for excellence. The exclusivity of Alpange is cultivated through collaborations with places and experiences that enhance the encounter between the instrument, the artist and the musical emotion. We partner with places and brands that embody timeless elegance, exceptional know-how and immersive experiences. From haute couture to prestigious hotels, collectors and art houses, our ambition is to instil a new way of experiencing music as an object of art in itself.
What role do you see for Alpange in the evolution of luxury hotel experiences, particularly as hotels seek to differentiate themselves through art and music?
Much more than a prestige object, it redefines the musical experience in a hotel environment.
Its sculptural design makes it a work of art, but its real revolution lies in its technological design: lighter and less restrictive in terms of volume and weight, it never needs tuning. The mobility means it can instantly be easily moved from a suite to a lobby or integrated into an event space.
Several digital features open up a whole new range of possibilities. Thanks to its integrated microphone and acoustic system, the piano becomes a real player in the customer experience. Hotels can create customised playlists where the piano plays alone and organise intimate piano-voice concerts without additional technical equipment.
Our ambition? To make Alpange an unforgettable sound signature, a symbol of exclusivity that enhances every moment and transforms every space into an exceptional place.
Could you share a particularly memorable custom project for a luxury hospitality client that challenged you?
A particularly memorable project was the development of a custom Alpange piano for a private establishment that wanted an absolutely unique finish with a very specific shade of lacquer. However, the real challenge lay in the musical approach: creating a lively and organic musical ambience, drawing on nature's sound patterns. This pushed us to explore new approaches to composition and interpretation, working on sound textures that merge with the space and the feel of the place. An exciting project which perfectly illustrates our commitment to a tailor-made and immersive musical experience.
How do you plan to expand Alpange's presence in the luxury hotel sector?
We see Alpange as a new iconic element in luxury hotels. Our collaborations will target visionary establishments that want to offer guests more than just a stay: a sensory signature, an unforgettable sound imprint.
Which upcoming developments are you most excited about?
At Alpange, we are on the cusp of a transformation in which music is no longer limited to listening but becomes a unique sensory and emotional experience. What excites us the most is further elevating our exclusive positioning by integrating Alpange into places and collaborations that embody this. We have five areas of development.
Collaborations with iconic luxury brands: we are exploring the possibility of creating limited editions in partnership with haute couture houses, designers or prestigious watchmakers. Imagine an Alpange with finishes inspired by a jewellery craftsman or designed in harmony with an exclusive collection by a great couturier.
Integrating Alpange in mythical places: We wish to develop customised partnerships with legendary palaces and ultra-premium residences. The piano would no longer be just an instrument in a living room but a sound and aesthetic work of art that is part of the place's DNA.
Art and music in fusion: we are exploring collaborations with contemporary artists and collectors to create pieces in which the instrument becomes an interactive work of art. An Alpange with original finishes, a piano that evolves with light and space, an immersion; one no longer just plays the piano but experiences a unique artistic performance.
An even more immersive approach to the sound experience: thanks to our technological advances, we are working on an even more accomplished sound spatialisation so that each note gives the sensation of a grand piano in a perfect acoustic space, whatever the room in which it is located.
Tailor-made to the extreme: we are also developing fully customisable editions for private customers, where each Alpange can be designed as an exceptional object, with unique finishes and features tailored to the most exclusive expectations.
What excites us is writing a new page in the history of musical luxury, where Alpange will not just be a piano but a status symbol, a symbol of refinement and an object of absolute desire.
 Evening set up at L’Appartement Alpange
Crédit photo © Alpange
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