01 — Biography
From the Conservatory to Victoria Hall
Composer, pianist, conductor, author — born in Geneva in 1986. A singular path, between late Romanticism and modernity.
20+
Catalogued opus
2003
First compositions
9+
Dedicated performers
2007
FNAC Young Talent Prize

Born17 July 1986, Geneva
OriginsEvionnaz, Valais
MentorBogdan Zvorastenau (OSR)
ActiveSince 2003
Doryan Emmanuel Rappaz, born in Geneva in 1986, wrote his first pieces at seventeen after a brief stint at the Conservatory and a long self-taught apprenticeship. Trained in orchestration by Bogdan Zvorastenau, first violin of the OSR, he signed his Piano Concerto No. 1 in 2010, premiered by the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra.
From the Serenade for Strings (Victoria Hall, 2011) to the 13 Solitudes cycle, from the Double Concerto to the more recent « Les Noces » with Léman Virtuosi, his catalogue weaves a patient dialogue between late romanticism, European modernity and intimate depth.
Founder and president of GenevArte, winner of the FNAC Young Talent Prize for his book Rêve d'ado (2007), he pursues several entrepreneurial adventures in parallel — without ever leaving the piano.
Career
Timeline
- 1986
Birth in Geneva
TrainingBorn on 17 July in Geneva, of Valais origin (Evionnaz).
- 2000
Discovery of the piano
TrainingBegins piano around age 14 and discovers classical music.
- 2001
Geneva Conservatory
TrainingBrief time at the Conservatory, then choice of self-taught learning.
- 2003
First compositions
MusicWrites his first pieces at seventeen, introduced to orchestration by Bogdan Zvorastenau (OSR).
- 2007
Adagio for Strings
MusicCommissioned by violinist Habib Kayaleh, premiered at the Geneva Conservatory, opening concert of the Month of Japanese Culture.
Rêve d'ado
LiteratureYoung Talent Prize — FNAC Literature Revelation at the Geneva Book Fair.
Founding of GenevArte
EntrepreneurshipCreates the GenevArte association to promote classical music and support young talent.
- 2010
Piano Concerto No. 1 op. 3
MusicPremiered by the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra, pianist Uriah Mamane — first major symphonic work.
- 2011
Serenade for Strings — Victoria Hall
MusicConducts his Serenade for Strings op. 1 himself at Victoria Hall, Geneva.
GenevArte recognised as a public-benefit non-profit
EntrepreneurshipThe association is recognised as a public-benefit non-profit by the Canton of Geneva.
- 2013
Prélude for piano and violin — Rome
MusicPremiere in Rome of op. 6, Prélude for piano and violin, in April.
- 2014
Byron Baciocchi Immobilier
EntrepreneurshipEvents director at Byron Baciocchi Immobilier SA.
- 2018
Founding of LaseRed
EntrepreneurshipCreates LaseRed, the world's first concept combining escape room and laser game.
- 2021
Founding of Immo V
EntrepreneurshipFounds his own real estate brokerage firm, Immo V.
- 2023
Les Noces op. 18
MusicPremiere of Les Noces op. 18 with the Léman Virtuosi.
References
Acknowledged influences
Beethoven
Classical / Romantic
Brahms
Late Romantic
Chopin
Romantic
Schumann
Romantic
Liszt
Late Romantic
Rachmaninov
Post-Romantic
Not as citation, but as emotional foundation — the Romantic language transformed into something entirely personal.
Distinctions
Awards & recognition
2007
Young Talent Prize — FNAC Literature Revelation
FNAC / Geneva Book Fair
For the novel « Rêve d'ado », presented at the Geneva Book Fair.
2011
Public-benefit non-profit recognition
Canton of Geneva
GenevArte, the association founded by Rappaz, recognised as a public-benefit non-profit.
Artists
Performers
Uriah Mamane
Piano
Piano Concerto No. 1 op. 3 (premiere)
Jansen Ryser
Piano
Piano Concerto No. 1 op. 3
Floriane Bourreau
Piano
13 Solitudes op. 4
Kamil Osmanov
Piano
13 Solitudes op. 4 · Jour de pluie op. 20 · Le Songe de Prométhée op. 26
Oksana Pavlova
Piano
Rhapsodie Corse
François-Xavier Poizat
Piano
2010 Chamber Series
Nadège Rochat
Cello
2010 Chamber Series
Habib Kayaleh
Violin
Adagio for Strings (commissioner)
Bogdan Zvorastenau
Violin (OSR)
Musical mentor, orchestration teacher
Ensemble Hypermoderne
Ensemble
Poème op. 8
Léman Virtuosi
Ensemble
Les Noces op. 18