The ensemble Les jeunes solistes, created in 1988 by Rachid Safir, covers the entire repertoire of vocal polyphony from the renaissance up to the present and is interested in the most modern techniques of composition, of diffusion or electronic transformation in real time. The number of professional singers varies from four to twenty thus allowing different stylistic sensibilities they are occasionally joined by instrumentalists for particular répertoires the «one per voice» principle allows for precise, modelled interpretations. By vocation, les jeunes solistes activities develop around two main lines:
- The confrontation of works from different periods, thereby enhancing each other;
- The group of soloists which permits great freedom of individual expression, but also requires very precise listening work, therefore a lasting collaboration both with and between singers as well as with the composers.
In the course of more than eighteen years’ existence, les jeunes solistes have many world premieres to their credit. they have given numerous concerts of ancient and contemporary music in france, at the festival of ambronay or the festival d’automne in paris, and abroad in madrid, rome, venice, salzburg, vienna, geneva, lucerne, witten, brussels, amsterdam, tampere, yokohama, valencia, bath…
Their discography devoted mostly to new music is generally well received and has often been awarded the highest honours by the critics. The press and numerous composers who have written for les jeunes solistes are unanimous in praising the excellence of this group, a precious instrument in the service of vocal art.
[iv-09]