Les Vents Français is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1999 by five French musicians who shared a passion for chamber music. The ensemble is made up of Emmanuel Pahud (flute), François Leleux (oboe), Paul Meyer (clarinet), Gilbert Audin (bassoon), and Radovan Vlatković (horn). These five musicians are all renowned soloists in their own right, and together they form one of the most celebrated wind quintets in the world. The idea for Les Vents Français was born out of a desire to explore the rich repertoire of wind chamber music, which includes works by composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms. The ensemble's members were all friends and colleagues who had played together in various orchestras and chamber groups, and they saw an opportunity to create something special by focusing exclusively on wind music. Les Vents Français made their debut in 1999 at the Festival de Radio France et Montpellier, where they performed a program of works by Mozart, Beethoven, and Poulenc. The ensemble's performance was met with critical acclaim, and they quickly established themselves as one of the leading wind quintets in the world. Since their debut, Les Vents Français have performed at many of the world's most prestigious concert halls and festivals, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the Royal Albert Hall in London, and the Salzburg Festival. They have also collaborated with some of the world's leading orchestras and conductors, including the Berlin Philharmonic under Sir Simon Rattle, the London Symphony Orchestra under Valery Gergiev, and the New York Philharmonic under Alan Gilbert. One of the highlights of Les Vents Français' career was their performance at the 2008 BBC Proms, where they performed a program of works by Mozart, Beethoven, and Dvořák. The ensemble's performance was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and was met with widespread critical acclaim. The Times described the performance as "a masterclass in wind playing," while The Guardian praised the ensemble's "impeccable ensemble playing and virtuosic solo work." Les Vents Français have also recorded extensively, with over a dozen albums to their name. Their recordings have received numerous awards and accolades, including a Diapason d'Or for their recording of Mozart's Wind Serenades and a Gramophone Award for their recording of Poulenc's Chamber Music. In addition to their performances and recordings, Les Vents Français are also committed to education and outreach. They regularly give masterclasses and workshops for young musicians, and they have established a wind quintet academy in Japan, where they work with young musicians to develop their skills and knowledge of wind chamber music. Les Vents Français' success can be attributed to their exceptional musicianship, their deep understanding of the wind chamber music repertoire, and their commitment to collaboration and education. They have established themselves as one of the leading wind quintets in the world, and their performances and recordings continue to inspire and delight audiences around the globe.

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