Le Petit Trianon is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1992 by a group of musicians who shared a passion for Baroque and Classical music. The ensemble is named after the famous palace in Versailles, France, which was built by Louis XV in the 18th century. The founding members of Le Petit Trianon were all accomplished musicians who had studied at some of the most prestigious music schools in Europe. They included violinist Jean-Pierre Wallez, cellist Marc Coppey, and harpsichordist Olivier Baumont. Over the years, the ensemble has expanded to include other talented musicians, but these three founding members have remained at the core of the group. From the beginning, Le Petit Trianon has been dedicated to performing music from the Baroque and Classical periods on period instruments. This means that the musicians use instruments that are similar to those that would have been used during the time when the music was composed. For example, they use gut strings on their violins and cellos, which produce a warmer and more resonant sound than the steel strings that are commonly used today. One of the highlights of Le Petit Trianon's early career was their performance at the Festival de Saintes in 1993. This festival is one of the most prestigious early music festivals in Europe, and it was a great honor for the ensemble to be invited to perform there. Their performance was well-received by both audiences and critics, and it helped to establish Le Petit Trianon as one of the leading ensembles in the early music world. Over the years, Le Petit Trianon has performed at many other prestigious venues and festivals around the world. They have performed at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, and the Lincoln Center in New York City, among others. They have also been invited to perform at many international music festivals, including the Salzburg Festival, the Edinburgh International Festival, and the Mostly Mozart Festival. One of the most memorable performances in Le Petit Trianon's history was their performance of Mozart's Requiem at the Salzburg Festival in 2006. This performance was particularly special because it was conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt, one of the most respected conductors in the early music world. Harnoncourt had a long history with Le Petit Trianon, and he had worked with them on many occasions before this performance. The concert was a great success, and it was hailed as one of the highlights of the festival. In addition to their performances, Le Petit Trianon has also recorded many albums over the years. Their recordings have received critical acclaim and have won several awards, including the Diapason d'Or and the Choc de l'année. Some of their most popular recordings include their interpretations of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos, Vivaldi's Four Seasons, and Mozart's Piano Concertos. Le Petit Trianon has also collaborated with many other musicians and ensembles over the years. They have worked with conductors such as Philippe Herreweghe, William Christie, and John Eliot Gardiner, and they have performed with soloists such as Anne-Sophie Mutter, Murray Perahia, and Cecilia Bartoli. These collaborations have helped to broaden the ensemble's repertoire and have allowed them to explore new musical styles and traditions.

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