Role

:

Ensemble

Country

:

Belgium

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

Les Agrémens is a Belgian baroque orchestra that was founded in 1995 by Guy Van Waas. The orchestra has gained a reputation for its historically informed performances of baroque and classical music, and has collaborated with some of the world's leading soloists and conductors. Guy Van Waas was born in Antwerp, Belgium in 1948. He studied piano and conducting at the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp, and later studied harpsichord with Kenneth Gilbert in Paris. He began his career as a conductor in the 1970s, and quickly gained a reputation for his interpretations of baroque and classical music. In 1995, Van Waas founded Les Agrémens with the aim of creating an orchestra that would specialize in historically informed performances of baroque and classical music. The orchestra takes its name from the French term "agréments," which refers to the ornaments and embellishments that were commonly used in baroque music. Les Agrémens made its debut in 1996 with a performance of Handel's "Messiah" in Antwerp. The orchestra quickly gained a following for its lively and engaging performances, and began to attract attention from critics and audiences alike. Over the years, Les Agrémens has collaborated with some of the world's leading soloists and conductors, including Philippe Herreweghe, Sigiswald Kuijken, and Andreas Staier. The orchestra has also performed at some of the world's most prestigious venues, including the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, and the Royal Albert Hall in London. One of the highlights of Les Agrémens' career came in 2007, when the orchestra was invited to perform at the Festival de Saintes in France. The festival is one of the most important events in the baroque music calendar, and Les Agrémens' performance was widely praised for its energy and precision. In addition to its live performances, Les Agrémens has also recorded extensively. The orchestra has released recordings of works by Handel, Vivaldi, Bach, and Mozart, among others. Its recording of Mozart's "Requiem" with the Collegium Vocale Gent was particularly well-received, and won the Diapason d'Or award in 2010. Les Agrémens has also been recognized for its contributions to the world of baroque music. In 2012, the orchestra was awarded the Prix Caecilia, one of the most prestigious music awards in Belgium. The award recognized Les Agrémens' commitment to historically informed performance, and its role in promoting baroque music to a wider audience. Today, Les Agrémens continues to be one of the most respected baroque orchestras in the world. The orchestra's commitment to historically informed performance, combined with its energy and passion, has won it a devoted following among music lovers around the globe.

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