Country

:

France

Birth

:

September 3, 1981 in Chambéry, France

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

Gautier Capuçon is a French cellist who has established himself as one of the leading classical musicians of his generation. Born on September 3, 1981, in Chambéry, France, Capuçon grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a conductor and his mother was a pianist, and his older brother, Renaud Capuçon, is also a renowned violinist. Capuçon began playing the cello at the age of four and gave his first public performance at the age of six. He studied at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris with Philippe Muller and Annie Cochet-Zakine, and later with Heinrich Schiff at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. Capuçon's career took off in the early 2000s, when he won several prestigious competitions, including the International André Navarra Cello Competition in Toulouse, the First Prize at the Maurice Ravel Academy in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, and the First Prize at the International Cello Competition in Cremona. Since then, Capuçon has performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Vienna Philharmonic. He has also collaborated with some of the most renowned conductors, such as Daniel Barenboim, Gustavo Dudamel, and Valery Gergiev. Capuçon is known for his virtuosic and expressive playing, and his repertoire spans from the Baroque era to contemporary music. He has recorded numerous albums, including the complete works for cello and piano by Beethoven, Brahms, and Schubert, as well as works by contemporary composers such as Krzysztof Penderecki and Matthias Pintscher. One of Capuçon's most memorable performances was his debut at the BBC Proms in 2007, where he played the Elgar Cello Concerto with the BBC Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Jirí Belohlávek. The performance was widely praised by critics, who described Capuçon's playing as "spellbinding" and "mesmerizing." Capuçon has also been recognized for his contributions to the classical music world. In 2011, he was awarded the Victoire de la Musique Classique, the most prestigious award for classical music in France, in the category of "Instrumental Soloist of the Year." He was also named a Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government in 2016, in recognition of his artistic achievements. In addition to his solo career, Capuçon is also a dedicated chamber musician. He has performed with many of the world's leading chamber ensembles, including the Ébène Quartet, the Jerusalem Quartet, and the Artemis Quartet. He is also a founding member of the Capuçon Quartet, which he formed with his brother Renaud, violist Gérard Caussé, and violinist Frank Braley. Capuçon is known for his philanthropic work, and he is actively involved in promoting music education and supporting young musicians. He is a patron of the Orchestre Français des Jeunes, a youth orchestra in France, and he has also established the Gautier Capuçon Foundation, which provides financial support and mentorship to young musicians. Overall, Gautier Capuçon is a highly respected and accomplished cellist who has made significant contributions to the classical music world. His virtuosic playing, expressive interpretations, and dedication to music education have earned him a place among the most celebrated musicians of his generation.

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