Antoine Tamestit

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. Tamestit has captivated audiences and critics alike, bringing a fresh perspective to both beloved masterpieces and contemporary works. His unique artistry, marked by an unparalleled sensitivity and a profound connection to his instrument, places him among the most distinguished musicians of our time.

In 24/25 season, Antoine will be featuring as Artist-in-Residence with Radio France, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, and Orquesta Sinfónica de Castilla y León as well as making important debuts with Chicago Symphony Orchestra and NHK Symphony Orchestra. As a recitalist, he will embark on several tours including a quintet tour with Isabelle Faust and a trio tour with Sir András Schiff and Jörg Widmann.

In recent seasons, Antoine has performed with orchestras including the Berlin Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre de Paris, and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra among many others. He performs regularly with major conductors including Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Daniel Harding, Paavo Järvi, Klaus Mäkelä, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Sir Antonio Pappano, Kirill Petrenko, Sir Simon Rattle, Francois-Xavier Roth, Christian Thielemann, and Jaap van Zweden.

Among the most important pieces premiered by Antoine Tamestit are Jörg Widmann’s Viola Concerto, Thierry Escaich’s La Nuit des Chants, Bruno Mantovani’s Concerto for Two Violas with Tabea Zimmermann, as well as Gérard Tamestit’s Sakura and Olga Neuwirth’s Remnants of Songs and Weariness Heals Wounds. In 23/24 season, he premiered Nikodijevich’s Psalmodija with the SWR Symphony Orchestra and Filidei’s Viola Concerto with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra.

As a passionate chamber musician, Antoine performs regularly with Emmanuel Ax, Martin Fröst, Leonidas Kavakos, Yo-Yo Ma, Emmanuel Pahud, Yuja Wang, Shai Wosner, and the Quatuor Ébène. He was also a founding member of Trio Zimmermann with Frank Peter Zimmermann and Christian Poltera performing in Europe’s most famous concert halls for more than 10 years. Together they recorded a number of acclaimed CDs for BIS Records, including their own arrangement of Bach’s Goldberg Variations.

An ardent educator, Antoine Tamestit served for 10 years as programming director of the Viola Space Festival in Japan where he focused on expanding the viola repertoire and developing a wide range of educational programs. He was also a professor at the Musikhochschule in Cologne, the Paris Conservatoire, and now teaches in masterclasses at the Kronberg Academy and around the world.

Antoine’s acclaimed discography can be found on many labels such as Johannes Brahms’ Sonatas for Viola and Piano with Cédric Tiberghien and a Telemann album with the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin on Harmonia Mundi. Most recently, he recorded Joe Hisaishi’s newly written Viola Saga with Deutsche Grammophon.

Born in Paris, Tamestit studied with Jean Sulem, Jesse Levine, and with Tabea Zimmermann. After winning first prize in several competitions at the beginning of his career, he received the prestigious triennial Hindemith Prize of the City of Hanau in 2022 in recognition of his contribution to contemporary landscape within classical music.

Antoine Tamestit plays on the very first viola made by Antonio Stradivarius in 1672, generously loaned by the Habisreutinger Foundation.