Description
Without ever seeking media attention, Olivier Charlier has established himself as one of the leading violinists of his generation. Beneath a demeanor of gentleness and modesty lies an exemplary journey: First Prize at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris at the age of 14, followed by winning the most coveted international awards (Munich, Montreal, Sibelius, Jacques Thibaud, Indianapolis, Young Concert Artists New York…). He was spontaneously taken under the wing of legendary figures such as Nadia Boulanger, Yehudi Menuhin, and Henryk Szeryng, experiencing a remarkably precocious success.
Olivier Charlier can rightfully claim his belonging to the French violin school – that of Jacques Thibaud, Ginette Neveu, Christian Ferras… and proudly showcase it on stages worldwide. He has performed with over fifty French orchestras, including all the major orchestras in Paris (Orchestre National, Orchestre de Paris, Philharmonique de Radio France, Opéra, Ensemble Orchestral, Associations…), as well as regional orchestras (ONDIF, Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Lille, ONPL, Strasbourg, Montpellier, Cannes, Nice…). He is also a regular guest with leading international ensembles: London Philharmonic, BBC Philharmonic, Hallé Orchestra, CBSO Birmingham, Berlin Symphony, Hamburg Radio Orchestras, Saarbrücken, Württemberg Chamber Orchestra, Bayerische Rundfunk, Zurich Tonhalle, Nederlands Philharmonisch, Residentie Orchestra The Hague, Monte-Carlo, Prague, Zagreb, New York, Pittsburgh, Montreal, Quebec, Mexico, Tokyo, Sydney…
Olivier Charlier pursues a discerning discography, reflecting his eclecticism, including Dutilleux’s “L’arbre des songes,” Lalo (Russian Concerto and Concerto in F), Edward Gregson, Gerard Schurmann (all with the BBC Philharmonic), Roberto Gerhard’s concerto (BBC Symphony), both Mendelssohn concertos with the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra and Lawrence Foster, Saint-Saëns with the Ensemble Orchestral de Paris and Jean-Jacques Kantorow. In chamber music, he has recorded numerous French works with Jean Hubeau: Franck, Debussy, Saint-Saëns, Pierné, Vierne (Erato). And with the duo he forms with Brigitte Engerer: Schumann, Grieg, and Beethoven (Harmonia Mundi).
Olivier Charlier teaches at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, where he succeeded his teacher Pierre Doukan in 1992. He is regularly invited to serve on the jury of international competitions: Munich, Hanover, Indianapolis, Jacques Thibaud…
