Parisian cellist Vincent Courtois’s classical training has endowed him with technique, precision and instrumental control, while his curiosity and eclecticism has helped him forge a sound all his own and has led him to play with brilliant musicians from a multitude of backgrounds such as Rita Mitsouko, Christian Escoudé, Michel Petrucciani and Michel Portal. With Sylvie Courvoisier, Dominique Pifarely, Joëlle Léandre and Joachim Kühn, Courtois returns to his instrument’s classical roots, while his collaboration with Rabih Abou Kahlil frees him as a soloist. His collaboration with Louis Sclavis, with whom he shares a cinematic approach to music, allows for explorations of lush melodies and his solo work is a tour de force of all of these musical personalities. Vincent will be making his 3rd appearance this summer at the New Directions Cello Festival, having been featured previously in 2000 and 2019.

Strengthened by his many experiences and influences, Vincent Courtois has developed a unique musical exploration. His creative process builds on musical relationships, the balance of personalities and energies, the impact of contrast, ideas of sound, images, incertitude and silence. Creating a musical form where freedom is paradoxically managed with utmost rigour and attentiveness, he gives collective creation a chance and each collaborator a unique position in a spirit of trust and mutual involvement.