Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

Les Cyclopes is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 2003 by a group of young musicians who shared a passion for early music. The ensemble takes its name from the one-eyed giants of Greek mythology, who were known for their strength and musical abilities. The founding members of Les Cyclopes were all graduates of the Paris Conservatory, and they were united by a desire to explore the rich repertoire of early music, particularly the music of the Baroque era. The ensemble's core members include violinists Julien Chauvin and Théotime Langlois de Swarte, cellist Atsushi Sakaï, and harpsichordist Justin Taylor. From the beginning, Les Cyclopes distinguished themselves with their innovative approach to early music performance. Rather than simply reproducing the music as it was originally written, the ensemble sought to recreate the spirit of the time in which it was composed. This involved extensive research into historical performance practices, as well as experimentation with different instruments and playing techniques. One of the highlights of Les Cyclopes' early career was their performance at the Festival de Saintes in 2005. This prestigious festival, which takes place in the historic town of Saintes in southwestern France, is dedicated to early music and attracts some of the world's most renowned performers. Les Cyclopes' performance was widely praised for its energy, precision, and musicality, and it helped to establish the ensemble as one of the rising stars of the early music scene. Over the years, Les Cyclopes has continued to build on this early success, performing at major festivals and concert halls throughout Europe and beyond. The ensemble has collaborated with a wide range of musicians and artists, including the renowned French actor and director Lambert Wilson, with whom they created a multimedia production of Bach's St. John Passion. In addition to their live performances, Les Cyclopes has also released several critically acclaimed recordings. These include their debut album, "Sonates pour violon et clavecin" (2006), which features works by Bach, Handel, and Scarlatti, and their most recent release, "Leclair: Sonates pour violon et basse continue" (2020), which showcases the music of the French Baroque composer Jean-Marie Leclair. Les Cyclopes has received numerous awards and accolades over the years, including the prestigious Diapason d'Or award for their recording of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos. The ensemble has also been recognized for their commitment to education and outreach, and they have conducted workshops and masterclasses for young musicians in France and beyond. Despite their success, Les Cyclopes remains committed to their original mission of exploring and reimagining the music of the past. Through their innovative performances and recordings, they continue to inspire audiences and musicians alike, and to bring the music of the Baroque era to life for a new generation.

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