Christian-Pierre La Marca & Félicien Brut

Music Network’s November tour will complete the season with the boundary-crossing French virtuosi cellist Christian-Pierre La Marca and accordionist Félicien Brut. The tour showcases World Songs, a genre-busting programme spanning the Baroque to the modern day, including the premiere of a new Music Network commission, Winter Wisps Softly Dissipate, by Irish composer Judith Ring.

Both are distinguished soloists in their own right. Christian-Pierre La Marca won a Gramophone Award for his ‘Cello 360’ recording last year with a radiant presence on world concert and recording platforms. He is a regular guest at major international concert venues. His collaborators include such prestigious names as Itzhak Perlman, Renaud Capuçon, Lise de la Salle, Philippe Jaroussky, Roberto Alagna and Bernarda Fink. Much in demand as a soloist, he has performed with leading orchestras, including the Philharmonia Orchestra, Orchestra National de France and Les Siècles.

Accordionist Félicien Brut has established himself as a leading innovator and musical collaborator among the new generation of French musicians. Following his success at international competitions, The Klingenthal Competition (Germany), The Castel Midardo Competition (Italy) le Trophée Mondial d’Accordéon (Russia) which confirmed his reputation as an international artist of note, he has performed with leading orchestras and formed musical partnerships with guitarist Thibaut Garcia and trumpeter Lucienne Renaudin-Vary. Félicien’s latest album was released in October 2022 by Warner Classics / Erato, which saw him become the first accordionist to record for this label.

Nothing is as captivating as the sound of a cello and an accordion together. In the hands of this stunning duo, these highly complementary instruments produce a delightful and ever-varying tapestry of sound. La Marca and Brut have chosen a diverse programme for their Music Network tour – from baroque masterpieces to frenzied South American rhythms; they travel the globe finding roots in the most eclectic scholarly and popular cultures. Two French virtuosos of the new generation are not to be missed!

“Christian-Pierre La Marca is a master of his instrument…and a musician of lyrical elegance” Gramophone Magazine

“Félicien Brut’s sensitivity…was fascinating in its clarity, agility, and timbre” Diapason Magazine

“Tender and intelligent music that makes you want to dream as much as to dance”  France Info [on Brut]

“A wonderful nuanced performance with Schubert’s sparkling melodies shining through” The Telegraph [on La Marca]

“Leaving the audience spiritually uplifted and crying for more” The Herald [on La Marca]

“[A] new ambassador of the accordion in the classical world” Le Figaro [on Brut]