Country

:

Canada

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

 

Concerto

 

Les Violons du Roy is a Canadian classical music ensemble that was founded in 1984 by Bernard Labadie, a renowned conductor and harpsichordist. The ensemble is based in Quebec City and is known for its performances of Baroque and Classical music, as well as its collaborations with world-class soloists. The name "Les Violons du Roy" translates to "The King's Violins" and is a reference to the court orchestra of the French kings Louis XIII and Louis XIV. The ensemble's name reflects its commitment to performing music from the Baroque and Classical periods, which were popular during the reigns of these monarchs. Labadie founded Les Violons du Roy with the goal of creating a chamber orchestra that would specialize in the performance of Baroque and Classical music. He assembled a group of talented musicians from Quebec and other parts of Canada, and the ensemble quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality performances. Over the years, Les Violons du Roy has attracted some of the world's most renowned soloists to perform with them. These include cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Angela Hewitt, and violinist Joshua Bell, among others. The ensemble has also collaborated with other musical groups, such as the Choir of the Chapelle Royale and the Canadian Brass. One of the highlights of Les Violons du Roy's career was their performance at the 1994 Olympic Winter Games in Lillehammer, Norway. The ensemble was chosen to represent Canada at the event, and they performed a program of Baroque and Classical music to great acclaim. Les Violons du Roy has also received numerous awards and accolades for their performances. In 2003, they won a Juno Award for their recording of Handel's "Water Music" and "Music for the Royal Fireworks." They have also been nominated for several other Juno Awards, as well as a Grammy Award for their recording of Mozart's "Sinfonia Concertante." In addition to their performances and recordings, Les Violons du Roy is also committed to music education and outreach. They offer a variety of educational programs for students of all ages, including workshops, masterclasses, and concerts. They also perform regularly in schools and community centers throughout Quebec and other parts of Canada. Today, Les Violons du Roy is led by conductor Jonathan Cohen, who took over from Bernard Labadie in 2018. The ensemble continues to perform and record music from the Baroque and Classical periods, as well as contemporary works that are inspired by these traditions. They are widely regarded as one of Canada's premier classical music ensembles and are celebrated for their virtuosic performances and commitment to musical excellence.

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