Exquisite technique and supreme esprit
and velvet tone
A giant of the brass world representing France
Michel Becquet , Trombone
Born February 4, 1954 in Limoges, France. His exquisite performance, sharp sensitivity, and unique timbre have earned him worldwide acclaim as one of the most outstanding performers of the French school.
He learned to play the piano and horn from an early age, and at the age of 10 he picked up the trombone at the recommendation of his father, a professional horn player, and soon became passionate about it. After studying at the Limoges Conservatoire for several years, at the age of 15, he entered the Conservatory of Music in Paris, graduating at an exceptionally early stage. Since then, he has won all international competitions such as Geneva, Munich, Prague, and Toulon. At the age of 18, Wolfgang Sawallisch appointed him principal player of the Orchester de la Suisse Romande, and a few years later he joined the Paris Opera Orchestra. In 1989, in order to dedicate himself to teaching and creative activities, he retired from the Paris Opera Orchestra and began teaching at the Cologne University of Music.
In 1972, he founded the Paris Trombone Quartet with Jacques Fulquet, Alain Manfranc, and Gilles Millière, and has performed a wide range of trombone pieces, from spectacular masterpieces to unknown pieces, and has been in the limelight all over the world. In 1990, Gilbert Amii recommended him to the post of head of the Department of Brass Instruments at the French National Conservatoire. In 1989, he also served as leader of the Cuible Français (French brass ensemble), founded by 18 of the best musicians, making a name for himself as the most prestigious ensemble of the French brass school. While teaching at the Conservatoire National de Lyon, his beloved pupils from the trombone class and fellow performers founded the "Ensemble Octobone" consisting of 8 trombones, 1 tuba and 2 percussion instruments. .
He is currently a professor at the Lyon Conservatoire and the Lausanne Conservatory.