Gérald Caussé is the Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often mistakenly referred to as “the Mormon Church”). He is an accomplished pianist and native of Bordeaux, France. Bishop Caussé received a master’s degree in business from ESSEC Business School in France in 1987. ESSEC Business School is one of the most selective French “Grandes écoles” and referred in France as one of the “trois Parisiennes.” His career has been in the food industry, where he worked with several supermarket chains and food distribution companies in France.
Nicolas Giusti is an acclaimed Italian composer and opera conductor from Rome. He has had great success with many operatic productions, such as Die Zauberflote by Mozart, Colyseum Opera House of Oporto (Portugal), Gianni Schicchi (Orbetello Festival with protagonist Giuseppe Taddei); Tosca (with Silvano Carroli, transmitted on RAI radio3); and La Boheme by Puccini at the State Opera House of Izmir (Turkey), the first production of the century in that country. He has recently directed and performed in highly competitive opera tournaments.
Nicolas Giusti and Gérald Caussé met more than a decade ago at a stake conference in Rome while Bishop Caussé was serving as a member of the area presidency. The two men became fast friends, sharing their love of playing the piano, as well as their love of the gospel. Together, they created an awe-inspiring masterpiece of piano duets and released an album called Joyful. The album recently hit no. 1 on the Billboard Classical Charts.
When Giusti sent Bishop Caussé a set of hymns he had arranged and asked Bishop Caussé to record an album with him, Bishop Caussé could not refuse. They spent months practicing together on BYU’s campus and at the Assembly Hall on Temple Square preparing for the album.
With the purpose in mind of sharing the joy of the gospel, Giusti composed five piano duet arrangements of classic hymns. Deseret Book reports that he turns the “traditionally somber meditation “Where Can I Turn for Peace?” into a surprisingly joyful celebration, and his treatment of classic hymns like “I Need Thee Every Hour” and “God Be with You Till We Meet Again” are unforgettable beautiful exchanges between two incredibly talented pianists.” Bishop Caussé commented, “It’s been a wonderful experience for me. [Nicolas] helped me to appreciate hymns even more.” And Giusti said, “He is impressive because he can do everything.” The album, which is a musical testimony, is a pure delight and joy to listen to and celebrates the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Deseret Book further proclaims, “The level of talent on this album is truly magnificent, but what stands out most is the overwhelming feeling of joy that pours out from every note.”
The tracks on the album include:
- Where Can I Turn for Peace?
- I Need Thee Every Hour
- You Can Make the Pathway Bright
- God Be with You Till We Meet Again
- Because I Have Been Given Much
- Abide with Me, ‘Tis Eventide
