Héloïse Houzé receives a viola thanks to the Fondation d’entreprise Safran pour la musique
- Mar 17
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 30
On Tuesday 17 March 2026, at the Maison Talents & Violon’celles, an official presentation ceremony was held for a viola crafted by the instrument maker Paul Noulet. This acquisition, made possible thanks to the support of the Fondation d’entreprise Safran pour la musique, once again highlights the patron’s commitment to musical creation and the work of exceptional craftsmen.
The Fondation d’entreprise Safran pour la musique
Since 2005, the Fondation d’entreprise Safran pour la musique supports young musicians at the start of their careers in the classical music world. It provides direct support to them and to emerging ensembles, and also works with organisations (institutions or associations) that support or promote these developing artists.
The start of a career is a challenging time in the lives of young musicians, who are no longer supported by the education system and are trying to make their mark in a world whose conventions they have not yet mastered. It is also often the time when they need a new instrument. To help them, the Fondation d'entreprise Safran pour la musique initially funded the purchase of instruments to lend to them… but then decided to entrust their manufacture and management to Talents & Violon’celles.
“Working with Talents & Violon’celles has provided us with the ideal solution, as they possess both the technical expertise and the personal qualities we were looking for. We are confident that the instruments they produce will be of the highest quality. Our partnership is truly perfect.” Jean-Luc Bérard, President of the Foundation
A growing partnership
The partnership between Talents & Violon’celles and the Fondation d'entreprise Safran pour la musique began in 2019 and has gone from strength to strength ever since. To date, three instruments have been funded and added to our instrument collection:
a viola by Patrick Robin, made in 2021, played by Paul Zientara from 2021 to 2024, and then passed on to Gaétane Régis-Terrel in March 2024;
a cello made by David Léonard Wiedmer in 2023, on loan to Thomas Martin since May 2024;
a viola by Paul Noulet, made in 2025, entrusted to Héloïse Houzé since December 2025.
The Foundation has found in Talents & Violon’celles a valuable means of achieving its objectives and commissioning a string instrument every two years. An annual grant is also provided for each instrument over a three-year period to cover insurance and maintenance costs and to support the musicians.
“We were won over by the idea of passing on this legacy at every level that you presented to us in 2019. It is very important to us to help young people play on beautiful instruments. We are delighted to have deepened this wonderful partnership with you!” Marie Privat, Director of the Fondation d'entreprise Safran pour la musique
This partnership also provides invaluable support for Talents & Violon'celles. Our collaborations with patrons such as the Fondation Safran play a central role in the long-term sustainability of our endowment fund, which is built on mutual exchange and trust, giving rise to a truly sustainable endeavour centred on music and exceptional instruments.
“This is an extremely generous partnership built on a strong sense of loyalty. It is generous not only because of all the initiatives undertaken, but also because you are transferring full ownership of the instruments to us, which is very important to us. Our successors, decades from now, will still be able to benefit from these instruments.” François-Xavier Anscutter, President of Talents & Violon’celles
An instant musical connection between the craftsman and the performer
The fact that the commission was secured before the instrument was even made allowed Héloïse to follow the early stages of its creation directly in Paul Noulet’s workshop in Limoges. This immersion in the heart of the luthier’s work led to a meeting that felt entirely natural. Very quickly, the craftsman and the musician understood each other perfectly, fostering a genuine rapport in the service of the instrument.
The viola was delivered in early December 2025, marking the culmination of several months of consultation and craftsmanship. Over the course of those months, Héloïse and the viola worked together to develop the instrument’s sound, which truly came into its own on the evening of 17 March.
“I appreciate the peace of mind this instrument gives me, both for its ergonomics and for the beauty of its sound. There is a new depth to it that finally allows me to achieve the sound I was looking for.” Héloïse Houzé
“There are very few period violas around today, so everyone is keen to play on the best modern violas. That’s why this project made perfect sense.” Raphaël Pidoux, co-founder and artistic director of Talents & Violon’celles
The first notes
Having graduated from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique two years ago, Héloïse Houzé went on to complete a Master’s degree in 2022 under Jean Sulem. She has also completed her postgraduate studies, culminating in a diploma in performance, and is this year finishing her training at the Chapelle Musicale Reine Elisabeth with Miguel Da Silva. At the same time, she is following the Élite programme at the École Normale Supérieure de Musique, which enables her to perform in Paris, notably at the prestigious Salle Cortot.
Paul Noulet’s viola will accompany Héloïse in many upcoming projects, providing the musician with an instrument that matches her artistic ambition.
During the evening, she performed with finesse and expressiveness:
Max Reger – Suite No. 1, Movement 1
Johann Sebastian Bach – Partita No. 3, Gavotte in the form of a Rondeau
Paul Hindemith – Opus 25 No. 1, Movements 1 and 2
Each piece revealed the instrument’s rich tone and responsiveness, offering a truly immersive experience of the dialogue between the musician and her viola.
“It's a real pleasure to play this viola!” Héloïse Houzé
Investing in music, supporting the talents of tomorrow
Our patrons are committed to keeping music alive by supporting the manufacture of instruments by exceptional luthiers. Each instrument becomes a springboard for promising young talents, offering them the means to develop their careers and keep musical heritage alive.
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