Les Solistes OSM is a classical music ensemble based in Montreal, Canada. The group was founded in 2002 by the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM), one of Canada's leading orchestras. The ensemble is made up of principal musicians from the OSM, who come together to perform chamber music in a variety of settings. The founding of Les Solistes OSM was driven by a desire to showcase the individual talents of the OSM's principal musicians, who are among the best in the world. The ensemble's repertoire includes a wide range of classical music, from Baroque to contemporary, and features works for various combinations of instruments, including string quartets, piano trios, and wind ensembles. The main members of Les Solistes OSM are drawn from the OSM's principal players, including violinists Andrew Wan and Richard Roberts, violist Victor Fournelle-Blain, cellist Brian Manker, and pianist Jean Saulnier. These musicians are all highly accomplished performers in their own right, and have won numerous awards and accolades for their work both as soloists and as members of the OSM. Since its founding, Les Solistes OSM has performed extensively throughout Canada and around the world, earning critical acclaim for its virtuosic performances and innovative programming. The ensemble has appeared at major music festivals, including the Lanaudière Festival, the Ottawa Chamberfest, and the Festival de musique de chambre de Montréal, and has collaborated with a wide range of artists, including conductors Kent Nagano and Yannick Nézet-Séguin, and pianist Marc-André Hamelin. One of the highlights of Les Solistes OSM's career was its performance at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, where the ensemble played for a global audience of millions. The group's performance was widely praised for its energy and precision, and helped to raise the profile of classical music in Canada and around the world. In addition to its live performances, Les Solistes OSM has also released several critically acclaimed recordings, including a 2012 album of works by Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert, and a 2016 album of French chamber music. The ensemble's recordings have been praised for their technical excellence and musical sensitivity, and have earned the group several awards and nominations, including a Juno Award for Best Classical Album in 2013. Les Solistes OSM has also been recognized for its contributions to the cultural life of Montreal and Canada more broadly. In 2015, the ensemble was awarded the Prix Opus for Concert of the Year in the chamber music category, and in 2017, it received the Prix Opus for Artistic Direction of the Year. These awards reflect the group's commitment to excellence in performance and programming, and its dedication to promoting classical music to new audiences. Looking to the future, Les Solistes OSM remains committed to its mission of showcasing the individual talents of the OSM's principal musicians, and to bringing the beauty and power of classical music to audiences around the world. With its innovative programming, virtuosic performances, and commitment to excellence, the ensemble is sure to continue to be a major force in the world of classical music for years to come.

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