Violin
Born in Chambéry in 1976, Renaud Capuçon studied at the CNSMDP with Gérard Poulet and Veda Reynolds. In 1998, Claudio Abbado chose him as concertmaster of the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester and he completed his musical education with Pierre Boulez, Seiji Ozawa, Daniel Barenboim and Franz Welsze-Möst. As a soloist, Renaud Capuçon plays with the greatest conductors and the most prestigious orchestras in the most famous festival : Festival international de La Roque d’Anthéron, Hollywood Bowl, Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad, Lucerne, Verbier, Salzburg, Rheingau or the Bucharest Enescu Festival.

One of the most renowned soloists, the violinist Renaud Capuçon collaborates with internationally renowned orchestras such as the Berliner Philharmoniker, the Boston Symphony, the Wiener Philharmoniker and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France.

He practices chamber music with passionate partners : Martha Argerich, Nicholas Angelich, Kit Armstrong, Khatia Buniatishvili, Frank Braley, Yefim Bronfan, Khatia and Marielle Labèque, Maria Joao Pires, jean-Yves Thibaudet, Yuri Bashmet, Myung-Whun Chung, Yo Yo Ma, Mischa Maisky, Michael Pletnev. Renaud Capuçon has been conducting the best chamber ensembles on the violin for around fifteen years.

He is artistic director of : Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad, Festival de Pâques d’Aix en Provence, Rencontres musicales d’Evian. Since 2021, he has directed the Orchestre de chambre de Lausanne. In 2022, he will put his reputation at the service of a new generation of musicians by launching Beau Soir Productions.

In terms of discography, Renaud Capuçon has already recorded nearly thirty records, notably Bartok’s violin Concertos with the London Symphony Orchestra and François-Xavier Roth, an album entitled « Cinema » released in October 2018. From September 2022, he begins a new collaboration with Deutsche Grammophon and Universal Music, starting with a complete set around Mozart. In February 2023, he published his second album of film music entitled "Cinema II - Les Choses de la Vie ».

His violin is the Guarneri del Gesù « Panette » (1737) which belonged to Isaac Stern. He was promoted to « Chevalier dans l’Ordre National du Mérite » in June 2011, « Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur » in March 2016 and « Officier dans l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres » in December 2021. He is also « Artiste pour la Paix » at UNESCO since September 2020 and promoted to « Officier dans l’Ordre National du Mérite » in December 2023.

Cello
Maxime Quennesson studies at the CNSMDP in the class of Michel Strauss and Guillaume Paoletti. In December 2020, he won 1st Prize in the Barbash Bach Competition. He also won other competitions including Louis Rosoor, Edmond Baert, FNAPEC, PMC, Flame, Bellan.

He performs as a soloist with orchestra (Ensemble Appassionato, Orchestre du Concert de la Loge, OCUP, Stuttgart Kammerorchester, Orchestre Royal de Chambre de Wallonie) and in recital (Festival Radio France Montpellier-Occitanie, Amsterdam Cello Biennale).

In 2018, he joined the Académie Jaroussky. The following year, he became an artist in residence with his trio at the Festival international de piano de la Roque d’Anthéron.

The famous pianist Menahem Pressler has described his playing and more generally that of the Trio Zeliha as exceptional not only for its exquisite musicality but also for its total commitment and technical qualities.

Maxime Quennesson has benefited from the advice of masters such as Nicolas Altstaedt, David Geringas, Eckart Runge, Clive Greensmith, Emmanuelle Bertrand, Bruno Cocset, Ophélie Gaillard, Gary Hoffmann and Philippe Muller.

He is also very involved in contemporary creation. In 2020, the French composer Jacques Lenot dedicated a piece to him with piano and a second for cello and 25 musicians.

Maxime Quennesson plays a cello made by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume (1863), generously lent by Bruno Delepelaire. It is supported by the Fondation Safran pour la musique, the Adami and the Foundation l’Or du Rhin.

In September 2019, he entered in the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel as an artist in residence under the direction of Gary Hoffman and at the same time pursued a third cycle at the CNSMDP.

He benefits from a scholarship offered and Mr. Christophe Convent.