The cellist Jean

Violoncellist specializing in contemporary music for a long time, Jean-Guihen Queyras is both a recognized soloist and chamber musician worldwide for his interpretations of an extremely varied repertoire.

After early studies at the National Conservatory of Lyon with Reine Flachot, Jean-Guihen Queyras furthered his skills in Germany with the help of a scholarship from the Ministry of Culture. He then completed his training in the United States with Harvey Shapiro and Timothy Eddy. Alongside his studies, he participated in masterclasses with Mstislav Rostropovich, Yo-Yo Ma, Paul Tortelier, and Anner Bylsma.

Previously a soloist with the Ensemble Intercontemporain, deeply influenced in his work by the personality of Pierre Boulez, Jean-Guihen Queyras does not confine himself to the contemporary domain, but practices an eclecticism that he considers positive.

A fluent soloist, he can be heard from Europe to the United States at major festivals such as those of Radio France and Montpellier, the Musicades of Lyon, or Kuhmo in Finland. Invited by orchestras from around the world (Philharmonia of London, Orchestre de Paris, Tokyo SO, Orchestre de la SWR, Orchestre National de France, etc.), he performs under the direction of the greatest conductors such as Franz Brüggen, Oliver Knussen, Lord Yehudi Menuhin, and more.

Passionate chamber musician, Jean-Guihen Queyras performs with partners like Alexandre Tharaud, Emmanuel Pahud, Isabelle Faust, etc. His experience with the Ensemble Intercontemporain and his openness to contemporary music have allowed him to be the creator of concertos by Gilbert Amy, Bruno Mantovani, and to win the prestigious Gramophone Contemporary Music Award in London in 1995 for the recording of György Ligeti’s Cello Concerto.

In addition to his concert activities, the desire to transmit leads Jean-Guihen Queyras to teach; he is a professor at the Musikhochschule in Freiburg and considers that exchanges with students are precious elements in his life as a musician.

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