Role

:

Ensemble

Country

:

France

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Opera

 

Ensemble Philidor is a classical music ensemble that specializes in performing music from the Baroque and Classical periods. The ensemble was founded in 2004 by a group of musicians who shared a passion for historically informed performance practice. The founding members of Ensemble Philidor were flutist Alexis Kossenko, oboist Emmanuel Laporte, bassoonist Philippe Miqueu, and harpsichordist Olivier Baumont. All four musicians had extensive experience performing with other ensembles and orchestras, and they came together with the goal of exploring the rich repertoire of music from the 17th and 18th centuries. From the beginning, Ensemble Philidor was committed to performing on period instruments and using historically informed performance practices. This meant that the musicians studied the original scores and manuscripts of the music they performed, and they used instruments and playing techniques that were appropriate for the time period in which the music was written. One of the highlights of Ensemble Philidor's early years was their debut performance at the Festival de Sablé in 2005. This prestigious festival, which takes place in the town of Sablé-sur-Sarthe in western France, is dedicated to early music and attracts some of the world's top performers in the field. Ensemble Philidor's performance was well-received by both audiences and critics, and it helped to establish the ensemble as a rising star in the early music world. Over the years, Ensemble Philidor has performed at many other major festivals and concert series throughout Europe and beyond. Some of their most notable performances include appearances at the Festival de Saintes, the Festival de La Chaise-Dieu, the Festival de Musique Baroque de Pontoise, and the Festival de Musique Ancienne de Utrecht. In addition to their live performances, Ensemble Philidor has also released several critically acclaimed recordings. Their debut album, "Music for a King," was released in 2006 and featured music by Jean-Philippe Rameau. The album received widespread praise for its lively and engaging performances, and it helped to establish Ensemble Philidor as a leading interpreter of French Baroque music. Other notable recordings by Ensemble Philidor include "The Art of the Baroque Oboe," which features music by Handel, Vivaldi, and Telemann, and "The Art of the Baroque Flute," which includes works by Bach, Couperin, and Hotteterre. Both albums showcase the virtuosic playing of Alexis Kossenko, who has been praised for his "dazzling technique" and "expressive phrasing." In addition to their performances and recordings, Ensemble Philidor has also been recognized with several awards and honors. In 2007, they were awarded the prestigious Diapason d'Or for their recording of Rameau's "Les Indes Galantes." This award, which is given by the French music magazine Diapason, is considered one of the highest honors in the classical music world. Ensemble Philidor has also been recognized for their commitment to education and outreach. They have conducted masterclasses and workshops for young musicians in France and abroad, and they have worked with schools and community organizations to bring early music to new audiences. Today, Ensemble Philidor continues to be one of the leading ensembles in the early music world.

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