Yannick Nézet-Séguin
French Canadian conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin was born in Montreal on 6 March 1975. He studied at the Conservatoire de musique du Quebec, at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, USA and also took part in masterclasses with various conductors. He later met and studied with Carlo Maria Giulini.
His first appointments were with the Chœur polyphonique de Montréal, the Choeur de Laval and his own professional group, La Chapelle de Montréal. From 2000, he has been music director of the Orchestre Métropolitain, and was appointed principal guest conductor of Victoria Symphony Orchestra in 2003. He became principal conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and principal guest conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra in 2008. He has been music director of the Philadelphia Orchestra since 2016.
A selection of articles about Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Classical music news - Fresh Perspectives - Philadelphia's Curtis Institute of Music celebrates its centenary season
Spotlight. Richly Coloured and Immediate - Gerald Fenech finds Yannick Nézet-Séguin's Brahms symphonies unmissable. '... charmingly descriptive music full of colourful expressiveness that is unjustly neglected.'
Spotlight. Sensationally Powerful - Gerald Fenech is impressed by Sibelius symphonies recorded in Montreal. '... a quite spectacular addition to this cycle ...'
Spotlight. An Extraordinary Tribute - Gerald Fenech recommends the soundtrack album of 'Maestro', the new film about Leonard Bernstein. '... brilliant sound and attractive presentation.'
Spotlight. A Complete Triumph - Gerald Fenech is exhilarated by the Philadelphia Orchestra's recording of symphonies by Florence Price and William Dawson. '... a vibrant energy that makes the music sound as fresh and exciting as when it was first heard.'
CD Spotlight. Beyond Recommendation - Gerald Fenech welcomes Rachmaninov orchestral music from the Philadelphia Orchestra and Yannick Nézet-Séguin on Deutsche Grammophon. 'Intensity, ebullience, vibrancy, passion and realism are the ingredients of these performances ...'
CD Spotlight. Stunning Performances - Gerald Fenech reviews two discs of music by American composer Florence Price. 'This is music overflowing with an abundance of melody, tinged with sadness and regret, which is crying out to be heard.'
Ensemble. An Elegy for Mother Earth - Adam J Sacks listens to John Luther Adams' 'Vespers of the Blessed Earth'
CD Spotlight. In a Class of its Own - Recordings of Clara and Robert Schumann's piano concertos impress Gerald Fenech. 'Beatrice Rana's magical playing is complimented by incisive support from Yannick Nézet-Séguin and his Chamber Orchestra of Europe ...'
CD Spotlight. Secret Love Letters - Lisa Batiashvili plays Chausson, Debussy, Franck and Szymanowski, warmly recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Batiashvili plays this programme with ultra-sensitive feeling and moving emotional ardour that penetrate right to the heart of this sublime music which reveals the inscrutable depths of the human soul.'
Ensemble. Magnificent Symphonies - Beethoven, Shostakovich and Musorgsky from Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra impress Patrick Maxwell
Ensemble. Simply Glorious - Verdi's 'La Traviata', live in high definition from New York Metropolitan Opera, heard by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Truth and Loyalty - Verdi's 'Otello', live in HD from New York impresses Maria Nockin
Ensemble. A Tale of Two Conductors - Robert Anderson attends two orchestral concerts in London
Ensemble. Stunning Artistry - New York Metropolitan Opera's Verdi's 'Don Carlo' transmission, seen and heard by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. A Bombshell - Carmen at the movies, by Maria Nockin