Role

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Ensemble

 

Ensemble Fragonard is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 2003 in France. The ensemble is named after the famous French painter Jean-Honoré Fragonard, who was known for his Rococo style paintings. The group is made up of four members, including two violinists, a violist, and a cellist. The members of the ensemble are all highly skilled musicians who have performed with some of the most prestigious orchestras and ensembles in the world. The founding members of Ensemble Fragonard are violinists Arnaud Thorette and Nicolas Bertrand, violist Antoine Tamestit, and cellist François Salque. The four musicians met while studying at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, and they quickly discovered a shared passion for chamber music. They decided to form their own ensemble, and Ensemble Fragonard was born. Since its founding, Ensemble Fragonard has become one of the most highly regarded chamber music ensembles in the world. The group has performed at some of the most prestigious concert halls and festivals, including the Wigmore Hall in London, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Salzburg Festival. They have also collaborated with some of the most renowned musicians in the world, including pianist Martha Argerich and cellist Gautier Capuçon. One of the highlights of Ensemble Fragonard's career was their performance at the 2006 Festival de Radio France et Montpellier. The group performed a program of works by Mozart, Schubert, and Brahms, and their performance was met with critical acclaim. The French newspaper Le Monde praised the ensemble's "perfectly balanced sound" and "impeccable technique." Ensemble Fragonard has also been recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout their career. In 2004, the group won the First Prize at the International Chamber Music Competition in Lyon. They were also awarded the prestigious Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship in 2007, which is given to outstanding young musicians who show exceptional promise. In addition to their performances and awards, Ensemble Fragonard is also committed to education and outreach. The group regularly gives masterclasses and workshops for young musicians, and they have also established their own chamber music festival in the French town of Grasse. The festival, which is called Les Musicales de Grasse, brings together some of the world's most talented young musicians for a week of intensive chamber music study and performance. Ensemble Fragonard's repertoire is diverse and includes works from the Baroque era to the present day. The group is particularly known for their interpretations of the works of Mozart, Schubert, and Brahms, but they have also performed works by contemporary composers such as György Ligeti and Kaija Saariaho. Ensemble Fragonard's recordings have also been highly praised by critics. Their debut album, which was released in 2006, featured works by Mozart and Schubert and was described by Gramophone magazine as "a recording of exceptional quality." The group has since released several more albums, including a recording of Brahms' String Sextets, which was released in 2018. Ensemble Fragonard's success can be attributed to their exceptional musicianship, their commitment to education and outreach, and their dedication to exploring a diverse range of repertoire. The group's performances are characterized by their impeccable technique, their perfect balance, and their deep emotional expressiveness.

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