Our heritage vision: to preserve and pass on an exceptional art.
Talents & Violon'celles aims to showcase instrumental and musical heritage by building a collection of instruments from the excellence of lutherie.
This initiative supports musicians throughout their careers, while promoting and perpetuating the art of instrument making across generations. By preserving and transmitting this unique artisanal expertise, Talents & Violon'celles contributes to enriching French cultural heritage and supporting musical talent, whether they are at the beginning of their careers or already professionals.
An exceptional collection of instruments
Talents & Violon'celles has chosen to bring together a range of instruments spanning the 18th to the 21st centuries, including creations by exceptional luthiers. This diversity allows musicians to get a taste of different musical experiences, offering them the opportunity to choose the instrument on which they will feel most comfortable pursuing their career.
Since its creation in 2010, Talents & Violon'celles has managed an increasingly large and diverse collection of instruments. This diversity is one of the major strengths of our offering, allowing young talents to discover and master both antique and modern instruments.
Support for French fine instrument making
Our support for fine French instrument making is made possible thanks to the commitment of our patrons and partners. Some instruments are owned by Talents & Violon'celles, while for others, we are simply the managers. Generous patrons can choose to donate or loan an instrument, or even finance the making of new instruments.
Rigorous and attentive management
The rigorousness of our administrative and logistical chain is crucial. As François-Xavier Anscutter, president of Talents & Violon'celles, points out: “With loans lasting three years on average, more than 30 instruments change hands each year. This involves contacts, appointments, contracts, and maintenance each time. Just like insurance, the quality of the follow-up for each instrument is a guarantee for the owners.”
Mélanie Bracale, in charge of managing our instrument collection, explains: “I am responsible for the relationship between instrument lenders and Talents & Violon'celles. I liaise with the recipients and ensure the maintenance of the instruments by arranging regular servicing with the luthier. I also organize trials with prospective musicians and draft their contracts. I manage the entire process and remain available to answer any questions from owners or recipients.”
Essential communication
Communication is at the heart of our approach. We regularly inform the owners, who are put in contact with the young talents playing their instruments. They thus receive updates on their progress, whether at concerts, exams or competitions.
Camille De Tredern
« Contemporary instrument making is the result of a rich heritage, passed down by dozens of generations of luthiers through their instruments, tools, notes, books, and more. My work is inspired by centuries of research and creativity, as well as by my growing number of encounters and collaborations with musicians and colleagues. The material resulting from all these exchanges provides me with a rich palette to fuel my creativity through another material, wood, in the pursuit of sonic ideals.»
Francesco Coquoz
« In 2014, I launched my business. Talents & Violon’celles, with Raphaël Pidoux who closely followed my instruments, placed their trust in me by choosing my cello to offer for sale by the Caisse d’Epargne Picardie. This helped me a lot and I am very grateful to them! I am delighted with this experience and it is an honor for me to contribute to the magnificent adventure of Talents & Violon’celles. This cello will be loaned to young talents who will follow one another. At this important moment in their training, they will be able to make the most of their work and develop their abilities. »
Agathe Bejerano Calderon
« I am extremely happy and touched to have been able to participate in the launch of Talents & Violon'celles' early music instrument department by making a tenor viola da gamba. I thank them from the bottom of my heart for their confidence in the quality of my work. Talents & Violon'celles' commitment is wonderful and benefits everyone in the music world, I am deeply convinced of that. I hope that gambists will seize this wonderful opportunity and discover this instrument that I had so much pleasure in creating. »
Roland Houël
« I like to create based on an old model. I try to understand how it was designed by studying its geometry to get back to basics, then I optimize and invent, making sure that the source of inspiration remains visible. Making a new cello allows me to free myself from all the compromises involved in restoring an old one. And, of course, I add the meticulous finishing touches that characterize the French luthery tradition. The cello I had the pleasure of making for the Caisse d'Epargne Bourgogne Franche-Comté at the suggestion of Talents & Violon'celles has a particularly spectacular back, made from a single piece of slightly speckled Bosnian maple with a very lively grain. It is inspired by a Goffriller built in Venice in 1720, an instrument that has marked my career and my taste for a certain sound. I modified its width and adapted it to modern playing techniques. It is a great joy to think that it will pass into the hands of young talents! »
Inès Morin
« What I find particularly motivating is meeting the musician. Before I start anything, I need to hear them play, soak up their personality and energy. I find this essential and it helps me a lot in my work. I am very touched and proud that Jean-Marc Phillips-Varjabédian trusted me to make the first violin that Talents & Violon’celles commissioned to enrich its quartet's instrument collection. I appreciate the dual focus of the endowment fund: lending instruments to talented musicians, but also commissioning instruments that stimulate creativity. As a young woman, I am truly delighted by this support, which concerns and encourages all the young luthiers of my generation through me. »
Charles Coquet
« Every time I give a cello to a young person in higher education, I see how passionate they are about the instrument. They are between 15 and 20 years old, they are the professionals of tomorrow, and when they discover the first high-quality instrument of their lives, their eyes light up and they are overwhelmed. They go from an instrument that holds them back to one that carries them forward. From that point on, they make tremendous progress in a short time. I am always deeply moved by their emotion and the intensity of their relationship with the instrument! »
