STANISLAS ENSEMBLE
Founded in 1984, the Stanislas Quartet was named after Stanislas Lescinsky, King of Poland and the last Duke of Lorraine, who made Nancy his renowned capital.
Alone or as part of a larger group, the Stanislas Quartet and Ensemble became one of the more interesting french ensembles, notable for the quality of their interpretations as well as the originality of programming.
Nationally acclaimed in the festival of « Presences 94 » sponsored by Radio France - Paris, they have also performed in numerous festivals and concerts in France and abroad (Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, Russia, Northern and Southern America, Japan, Taïwan, Middle East, Africa).
In March 96, the Stanislas Quartet made its debut in the USA (Washington DC, West Virginia and North Carolina), having great success with the public and press. Mark Carrington, in the Washington Post, described its performance as « particularly effective ». Since then, the quartet is regularly reinvited for some series of masterclasses, concerts and recordings by the universities of West Virginia, North-Carolina or Wyoming.
Each year, they have a concerts-series in Nancy with an enthusiastic and ever increasing public. They play frequently throughout the region of Lorraine where they have given more than three hundred concerts for diverse audiences.
The music of our time is at the centre of the ensemble's activities: to the extent that, in addition to numerous first performances of contempory works, the organisation of events such as the invitation to Nancy of Henri Dutilleux, George Crumb, Klaus Huber or György Kurtag for retrospectives of their works, with meetings and masterclasses in connection with the Symphony Orchestra and the Conservatoire of Nancy.
The Stanislas Ensemble and Quartet has already recorded over twenty compact discs, warmly received by international critics. The CD with works by George Crumb, Henri Dutilleux and Raymond Depraz, was acclaimed by the music magazine Diapason as being a "recording of reference". The Stanislas Quartet undertook the world premier recording of the six string quartets of Joseph-Guy Ropartz, followed by recordings dedicated to Florent Schmitt, Maurice Emmanuel, Jean Cartan and Louis Thirion ( "10" by the magazine Classica-Répertoire, “Recommended” by Classica "CD of the Month" by Le Monde de la Musique, “Higly recommended” by Fanfare /USA, “Ring” by Classique-Infos, “Joker” by Crescendo etc…)
In 2001, the quartet played for the first time in South America, giving three concerts at the Francia-Venezuela Festival of Caracas, followed by a tour of the main towns of the country. In April 2006, the Stanislas Quartet has been for the first time in Russia (Volgograd, Novossibirsk, Perm and Moscow). In 2007, 2009 and 2012, the quartet undertook some important series of concerts in Argentina (Cordoba, Rosario, Buenos Aires), and in Brasil (Sao Paulo, Brasilia, Belo Horizonte, Juiz de Fora, Ouro Preto, Ribeirao Preto etc…), warmly acclaimed by the public and the critics.
Stanislas Ensemble Artists
Laurent Causse, violon
Received the « Premier Prix », a degree with highest honors, in violin and chamber music from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique of Paris. He worked with such artists as Régis Pasquier, Jean-Jacques Kantorow and Salvatore Accardo. From 1986 to 1989, he was first violinist with the Viotti Quartet and at present is the concertmaster of the Orchestre de l'Opéra National de Lorraine , and teacher at the Conservatoire National de Région in Nancy.
Bertrand Menut, violon
Started hes first musical studies in his hometown Brest (Brittany), before moving on to Paris, where he studied with Pierre Doukan and Gérard Poulet, obtaining three gold medals. From 1991 to 1998 lead-violin in the “Orchestre Pasdeloup” Paris, and since 1999 member of the Orchestre de l'Opéra National de Lorraine
Paul Fenton, alto
Began his studies in Australia, studying later with Peter Schidlof, of the Amadeus Quartet. He became principal violist with the Fenice Orchestra of Venice, and is now principal violist of the Orchestre de l'Opéra National de Lorraine .
Marie Triplet, alto
Received a golden medal from the Conservatoire National de Région of Strasbourg, before studying in Düsseldorf with Ojstersek and attending masteclasses with Serge Collot, Jean Sulem and Nicolas Bône.At present Professor at the Conservatoire National de Région in Nancy.
Jean de Spengler, violoncelle
Obtained a degree in cello and chamber music from the Ecole Normale de Musique of Paris and studied cello at the Hochschule für Musik of Vienna with André Navarra, and chamber music with members of the Alban Berg Quartet. He was principal cellist of the Orchestre de l'Opéra National de Lorraine from 1983 to 2016.
Olivier Sauvage, flute
Started the flute at the Conservatoire of Chateauroux, then obtained the "Premier Prix" at the Conservatoire National Supérieur of Lyon.
At present solist of the Orchestre de l'Opéra National de Lorraine
Philippe Moinet, clarinet
First price of the Conservatoire of Poitiers, studiyng later in Paris.
His present position is principal clarinetist of the Orchestre de l'Opéra National de Lorraine .
Pierre Colombain, oboe
First price of the Conservatoire National de Région of Nancy, then obtained the "Premier Prix" of the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique of Lyon.
Since 1985 principal oboe of the Orchestre de l'Opéra National de Lorraine
Nicolas Tacchi, bassoon
First price of the Conservatoire Supérieur of Geneva, second price of the " Jeunesses Musicales " competition.
At present, soloist at the Orchestre de l'Opéra National de Lorraine
Pierre Riffault, horn
First price of the Conservatoire of Orléans, then studying at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique of Lyon.
At present, horn solo at theOrchestre de l'Opéra National de Lorraine .