The 6th Masterclass with Orchestra by Talents & Violon’celles
- Communication T&V
- Dec 9
- 5 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Antonio Vivaldi and Maestro Giuliano Carmignola Unite Musicians and Audience in a Vibrant Performance
The 6th masterclass with orchestra by Talents & Violon’celles took place at the Salle Cortot (Paris 17th), under the direction of Giuliano Carmignola leading the newly formed Ensemble Premières Scènes.
The program featured Antonio Vivaldi's timeless masterpiece, The Four Seasons: four concertos performed by four exceptional young violinists. A key element of this initiative is that the soloists performed on outstanding 18th and 19th-century instruments generously loaned to Talents & Violon’celles by private patrons.
This event, conceived by Talents & Violon’celles and organized in partnership with the École Normale de Musique de Paris - Alfred Cortot, is made possible by the continuous support of Anne and Foucauld de Tinguy, who have patronized it annually for six years.
Why a Masterclass with Orchestra?
The opportunity to perform with an orchestra is a foundational artistic event for young instrumentalists, whether they are still in training or at the start of their professional careers. This experience is vital for practice, testing one's ability to concentrate, building confidence, and preparing to compete as a soloist in international competitions under the best possible conditions. The urgency of a public concert further enhances its effectiveness. Yet, higher education for young French instrumentalists often neglects to provide this crucial experience, creating an obvious gap in their musical training and a handicap when facing better-prepared international competitors.
The Choice: The Four Seasons
In selecting this globally famous work, Raphaël Pidoux, Vice-President and Artistic Director of Talents & Violon’celles, aimed to highlight its incredible musical quality. He noted:
"The Four Seasons is the pearl of the Venetian Baroque repertoire. Vivaldi’s writing overflows with invention; it is truly perfect, an authentic masterpiece. For the violinists, being able to play it with the correct style and indications is unique and highly valuable."
Mr. Pidoux’s goal is also to break down barriers between 'Baroque' and 'non-Baroque' instruments.
"Giuliano Carmignola and I agree: whether they come with gut strings or metal, it doesn't matter. What counts is the musician's style, not their equipment."
The Performers
The masterclass was conducted by Giuliano Carmignola, the renowned Italian violinist, hailed by Gramophone magazine as "a prince among baroque violinists." His performances are characterized by great passion and an introspective approach full of imagination and freedom.
PRINTEMPS
Nathalie Darst-Xia
Performing on a violin by Giuseppe Gagliano, loaned by Gérard Bouvet through Talents & Violon’celles.
ÉTÉ
Thomas Briant
Performing on a violin by Nicolò Gagliano, loaned by Roger Zilber through Talents & Violon’celles.
AUTOMNE
Arthur Decaris
Performing on a violin by Séraphin, loaned by Roger Zilber through Talents & Violon’celles.
HIVER
Sora Lavorgna, aged 12
Performing on a violin by Stefano Scarampella, loaned by Guy Coquoz through Talents & Violon’celles.
Ensemble Premières Scènes made its debut during this masterclass. Composed of string instrumentalists supported by Talents & Violon’celles, this new orchestra was created to help the most promising young artists of their generation achieve a decisive step in their careers: accessing the professional stage and its demanding requirements.
Testimonials
Giuliano Carmignola, Violinist and Conductor
"This is the first time I've led a masterclass like this. What a joy to see these talented, inspired young people, driven by the desire to improve—it's wonderful to witness! Through them and this music that has followed me my whole life, I've also glimpsed my own life as a musician."
"I focused on the musical aspect, on expression... An afternoon of work is very short (my only regret!), we cannot go into the detail of instrumental technique because the musicians don't have time to metabolize changes; they have to react immediately."
"A moment that stood out for me? That very young girl of twelve who plays with such authority, obviously. But each of them has their own personality, each one gave me emotion. They are very good musicians, open, ready to adapt and embrace the musical ideas and suggestions I share with them."
"I don't know of any comparable initiative. This mobilization of patrons to help young musicians is a very beautiful thing. We must be grateful to these sensitive individuals... truly beautiful people, it warms the heart."
Nathalie Darst-Xia
"It was an immense pleasure to work with Giuliano and all the musicians... My encounter with Giuliano was incredible! Working with a musician of this stature is a huge privilege. While I was playing in a very strict, correct manner, he really encouraged me to approach Vivaldi with much more freedom, much more colour, much more sound, much more dynamism. I learned a lot about the style required to play Baroque music."
Thomas Briant
"I have long been a huge fan of Giuliano Carmignola; I love his Four Seasons, it’s my favourite version, along with all his interpretations of the Italian Baroque repertoire. It was an exceptional meeting. His interaction with the orchestra was particularly interesting. Giuliano managed to make it sound fuller by working on the well-defined role of each instrument. I had the impression that we were anchored to the ground, that there was something earthly in the interpretation."
Arthur Decaris
"It was fantastic to spend the afternoon and evening with Giuliano Carmignola. He shared his musical vision of The Four Seasons with us, with very targeted explanations; it was extremely enriching for the orchestra and the soloists. He is a great musician, very human, very gentle, but with the necessary energy. Yes, that's what I remember, the energy he imparts. And not being afraid to make choices that are even more extreme, more assertive, even more provocative, and taking liberties with very well-known works to find one’s own interpretation."
Sora Lavorgna
"I'm happy with everything—how I played, the rehearsal. The conductor told me new things, and I tried to apply them during the concert. For example, he added phrase segments, different bowings, and fingerings. In the concert, I loved when we started working again on stage after I played. He said that in Baroque music, we shouldn't use a lot of vibrato, and before, I used to do it a lot—I will remember that."
Supporting Young Talents on the Path to Professionalism
The encounter with the orchestra and the guidance of a conductor represent giant steps for these young musicians in their musical and technical growth. They become aware of what they still lack, both technically and/or psychologically. They thus learn to better understand their responsibility as a soloist and the reality of a musician's work. This masterclass offers them an unparalleled experience and, even more importantly, a body of knowledge they can rely on in competition situations or later, on stage.
The Talents & Violon’celles team is deeply committed to helping young talents enter professional life. In addition to the masterclass with orchestra, other initiatives exist: the Cello8 cello octet, which performs regularly, the loan of instruments dedicated to specific repertoire, and the new Ensemble Premières Scènes, an artistic and educational laboratory dedicated to the talents of tomorrow.
Talents & Violon’celles: Ensuring Every Talented Musician Can Play an Instrument Equal to Their Potential
Based on the observation that acquiring a quality instrument can be an inaccessible investment for a musician, the Talents & Violon’celles endowment fund supports talent by loaning instruments that allow them to fully develop their potential: pursuing studies under the best conditions, passing international competitions, and launching or developing a career.
Through its actions, Talents & Violon’celles highlights instrumental and musical heritage and builds a collection of instruments representing the excellence of lutherie. Thanks to the support of private and institutional patrons, Talents & Violon’celles currently manages a fleet of over 120 string instruments (violins, violas, and cellos), including 36 commissioned by the fund, with 6 more currently being crafted—including some Baroque-era instruments like the tenor viol, bass violin, bass viol, and treble viol. The project’s originality lies in its three converging ambitions: heritage, social, and cultural, which, shared between talented musicians, craftspeople, and donors, are a source of excellence.
Comments