Spain
Antoine Tamestit stands as a singular voice in the world of classical music, redefining what it means to be a viola player in the 21st century. Renowned for his exceptional artistry, sensitivity, and profound connection to his instrument, he brings a distinctive perspective to both beloved masterpieces and contemporary repertoire.
During the 26/27 season, Tamestit is the Artist-in-Residence at the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and Curating Artist at the Konzerthaus Dortmund, where he will appear with Orchestre de Paris and their Music Director Klaus Mäkelä. Further highlights include subscription debuts with Orchestre Métropolitain and Staatskapelle Berlin, a European tour with WDR Sinfonieorchester and their Chief Conductor Marie Jacquot, and performances of Francesco Filidei’s Viola Concerto throughout the season with Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, London Symphony Orchestra, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, and NHK Symphony Orchestra.
In recent seasons, Tamestit has appeared with many of the world’s leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Wiener Philharmoniker, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, and Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich among many others. He has collaborated with conductors including Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Daniel Harding, Paavo Järvi, Klaus Mäkelä, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Sir Antonio Pappano, Kirill Petrenko, Sir Simon Rattle, and Christian Thielemann.
As a chamber musician, he performs regularly with artists including Emmanuel Ax, Martin Fröst, Leonidas Kavakos, Yo-Yo Ma, Emmanuel Pahud, Yuja Wang, and Shai Wosner on esteemed stages such as Verbier Festival, Tanglewood Music Festival, and Wigmore Hall. During the 26/27 season, he embarks on a six-concert tour of Brahms Quintets with James Ehnes, Alexandra Preucil, Saò Soulez-Larivière, and Christian Poltéra.
A passionate ambassador of his own instrument, Tamestit has premiered works by Jörg Widmann, Thierry Escaich, Gérard Tamestit, and Olga Neuwirth to keep its repertoire vibrant and evolving. In recognition of his contribution to contemporary music, he received the Hindemith Prize of the City of Hanau in 2022. He has also championed the instrument through education, serving for ten years as Programming Director of Viola Space Festival in Japan and currently teaching at the Kronberg Academy.
His acclaimed discography spans repertoire from Bach, Mozart, Hindemith, and Schoenberg to contemporary works. Recent releases include Joe Hisaishi’s Viola Saga, with the composer conducting the Wiener Symphoniker on Deutsche Grammophon, the complete Bartok Duos with Alexandra Preucil on Harmonia Mundi and The Viola in My Life, Feldman’s deeply personal work, which holds particular significance for him.
Born in Paris, Tamestit studied with Jean Sulem, Jesse Levine, and with Tabea Zimmermann.
Antoine Tamestit plays on the very first viola made by Antonio Stradivarius in 1672, generously loaned by the Habisreutinger Foundation.
