Role

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Composer Conductor  

Genre

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Choral

 

Martin Gester is a renowned French conductor and harpsichordist, known for his expertise in Baroque and early classical music. Born in 1968 in Strasbourg, France, Gester grew up in a family of musicians and began playing the harpsichord at a young age. He studied at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, where he received a degree in harpsichord performance. Gester's career as a conductor began in the early 1990s, when he founded the ensemble Le Parlement de Musique. The group specialized in performing music from the Baroque and early classical periods, and quickly gained a reputation for their innovative and historically informed interpretations. Gester's leadership of the ensemble was praised for its clarity, precision, and sensitivity to the nuances of the music. Over the years, Gester has conducted numerous orchestras and ensembles throughout Europe and North America, including the Orchestre National de France, the Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg, and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. He has also collaborated with many prominent soloists, including cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras and soprano Sandrine Piau. One of Gester's most notable achievements was his work as the artistic director of the Festival de Musique Baroque de Lyon from 2004 to 2011. During his tenure, he brought together some of the world's leading performers of Baroque music, and helped to establish the festival as one of the most important events of its kind in Europe. Gester has also received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the world of classical music. In 2003, he was awarded the Prix Liliane Bettencourt pour le chant choral, which recognizes outstanding contributions to choral music. He has also been awarded the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, one of the highest honors for artists in France. Throughout his career, Gester has remained committed to exploring the rich and diverse repertoire of Baroque and early classical music. His performances are characterized by their energy, passion, and attention to detail, and he is widely regarded as one of the leading interpreters of this music today.

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