Opening concert
"Before him, the tuba had an image of a bygone era. Since he took it over, placing it at the forefront, he has given it the unprecedented status of a leading instrument.
From Tokyo to Berlin via New York, Rio, Singapore and Beijing, Thomas Leleu could have been content with a prestigious career as a classical soloist had he not always been driven by an insatiable curiosity for all kinds of music. Equally at home as a classical soloist in front of a symphony orchestra, at a jazz festival or on the stage of a giant arena playing pop music, this "absolute genius of the tuba" (La Nouvelle République), a free electron of music, proves that it is possible to flourish in different musical fields.
Often compared to I. Maalouf: "the spirit is the same, the talent identical" (Ouest France). This exploratory musician, who sets himself no limits, offers a fusion of genres, a celebration of musical diversity. He pays tribute to all the music that has inspired him and made him a child of the classical milieu, with a passion for pop and Latin rhythms: an OUTSIDER.
Voted "Instrumental Soloist of the Year" at the 2012 Victoires de la Musique awards at the age of 24, he is the first tuba player in history to win this distinction.
Considered "one of the greatest tuba players in the world" (France Bleu), compared to the "Mozart" of his discipline, he is a world music star" (TMC, Yann Barthès).
"Before him, the tuba conjured up an image of a bygone era. Since he took it over, putting it front and centre, he has given it the unprecedented status of leading instrument. Equally at home as a classical soloist in front of a symphony orchestra, at a jazz festival or on the stage of a giant arena playing pop music, this "absolute genius of the tuba" (La Nouvelle République) displays surprising musicality and agility.
