Tom Lardat - Récits de l'ombre

Tom Lardat began studying piano through private lessons before, in 2009 at the age of 17, joining François Chaplin’s class at the Conservatoire de Versailles. After earning the Prix de Perfectionnement at this institution, he continued his studies at the Haute École de Musique in Lausanne, completing his education in 2019 with a Master’s degree in Switzerland.

Alongside his classical training, Tom has always been passionate about progressive metal and bands such as Dream Theater, Adagio, Opeth, and Symphony X. He has also played keyboards in several bands, including Dark Milk and Conscience. Over time, he began to distance himself from the strict role of the classical performer and, in 2023, decided to start composing piano pieces that blend progressive metal and classical music. In these works, rhythmic passages intertwine with romantic harmonies, and baroque-style introductions lead into irregular time signatures. The piano’s wide expressive range is used in turn for percussive, melodic, and polyphonic effects.

In March 2025, his first EP, “Revenir au rêve”, was released. A few months after, Tom returned to composing new pieces, which will be recorded in December 2025 for a new EP titled “Récits de l’ombre”. This second project consists of four pieces (Ouverture – Jour de pluie – Sortilèges – Regrets) that form a cohesive whole, designed to be listened to from start to finish, both in terms of key relationships and audio sequencing, with a total duration of around 20 minutes. The romantic aesthetic is far more prominent than in my previous project, with themes more strongly inspired by the 19th century. The structures remain complex but aim to be more narrative and freer in form, hence the title “Récits”. The project as a whole explores dark themes and imagery.

Regrets - Teaser: https://youtu.be/8HmEFXoiYXk