Concerts Colonne
He was conducted by Édouard Colonne at his début récital at the age twenty. He played Schumann's A minor Piano Concerto at the Concerts Colonne. Camille Saint-Saëns, who saw him at one of his early recitals, considered him to possess "that rare union of technical perfection and musicality." Saint-Saëns intentionally obtained a front row seat to show his support for the pianist.