Pascal Desarzens is a renowned Swiss conductor and cellist who has made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. Born on August 22, 1950, in Lausanne, Switzerland, Desarzens showed an early interest in music and began playing the cello at the age of six. He received his first lessons from his father, who was a cellist himself. Desarzens continued his musical education at the Lausanne Conservatory, where he studied under the tutelage of Pierre Fournier, one of the most celebrated cellists of the 20th century. He also received guidance from other renowned musicians such as Paul Tortelier, Maurice Gendron, and André Navarra. After completing his studies, Desarzens began his career as a cellist, performing with various orchestras in Switzerland and abroad. He also became a member of the Suisse Romande Orchestra, where he played under the direction of prestigious conductors such as Ernest Ansermet and Wolfgang Sawallisch. In the early 1980s, Desarzens decided to shift his focus from playing the cello to conducting. He studied conducting with Franco Ferrara in Italy and later with Sergiu Celibidache in Germany. He also attended masterclasses with Leonard Bernstein and Claudio Abbado. Desarzens made his conducting debut in 1984 with the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra, and his talent was immediately recognized. He was appointed as the principal conductor of the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra in 1987, a position he held until 1999. During his tenure, he led the orchestra on numerous tours and recordings, earning critical acclaim for his interpretations of Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven. In 1999, Desarzens was appointed as the principal conductor of the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne, one of the most prestigious orchestras in Switzerland. He held this position until 2013, during which time he led the orchestra on tours to Europe, Asia, and the United States. He also recorded several albums with the orchestra, including works by Schubert, Mendelssohn, and Brahms. Desarzens has also conducted many other orchestras around the world, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. He has collaborated with many renowned soloists, including Martha Argerich, Mischa Maisky, and Maxim Vengerov. Desarzens has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1996, he was awarded the Prix de la Fondation Vaudoise pour la Culture, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the arts in the canton of Vaud. In 2001, he was awarded the Prix de la Ville de Lausanne, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the cultural life of the city. Desarzens has also been recognized for his commitment to promoting young musicians. He has served as a professor of conducting at the Lausanne Conservatory and has conducted many youth orchestras, including the Swiss Youth Symphony Orchestra and the European Union Youth Orchestra. In addition to his work as a conductor, Desarzens is also a respected musicologist and has written several articles and books on music. He has also served as a member of the jury for many international music competitions, including the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow and the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels. Desarzens continues to be an active musician and conductor, and his contributions to the world of classical music have been significant.

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