Antoine Tamestit stands as a singular voice in the world of classical music, redefining
what it means to be a viola player in the 21st century. He has captivated audiences
and critics alike, bringing a fresh perspective to both beloved masterpieces and
contemporary works. His unique artistry, marked by an unparalleled sensitivity and a
profound connection to his instrument, places him among the most distinguished
musicians of our time.
He opens the 2025/26 season at the Tanglewood Music Festival in a recital with
Leonidas Kavakos, Yo-Yo Ma, and Emanuel Ax followed by returns to London
Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Royal Concertgebouw
Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, and Orchestre de la
Suisse Romande. Further highlights include his debut with Filarmonica della Scala
and Israel Philharmonic Orchestra; chamber residencies with LSO St. Luke’s and
SWR Linie 2; and the Finnish premiere of John Williams’ Viola Concerto with the
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra.
In recent seasons, Antoine Tamestit has performed with orchestras including the Berlin
Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, Wiener Symphoniker, Orchestre
Philharmonique de Radio France, Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, and NHK Symphony
Orchestra among many others. He performs regularly with major conductors including
Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Daniel Harding, Paavo Järvi, Klaus Mäkelä, Yannick Nézet-
Séguin, Sir Antonio Pappano, Kirill Petrenko, Sir Simon Rattle, François-Xavier Roth,
Christian Thielemann, and Jaap van Zweden.
Among the most significant works premiered by Antoine Tamestit are Jörg Widmann’s Viola Concerto, Thierry Escaich’s "La Nuit des chants", Bruno Mantovani’s Concerto for Two Violas with Tabea Zimmermann, as well as Gérard Tamestit’s "Sakura" and Olga Neuwirth’s "Remnants of Songs" and "Weariness Heals Wounds". In the 2023/24 season, he premiered Nikodijevich’s "Psalmodija" with the SWR Symphony Orchestra and Filidei’s Viola Concerto with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. A passionate advocate for new music, Tamestit believes that performing contemporary works is essential to keeping the viola repertoire vibrant and evolving—an artistic responsibility he embraces as both an interpreter and a collaborator.
He was a founding member of Trio Zimmermann with Frank Peter Zimmermann and Christian Poltera, performing in Europe’s most prestigious concert halls for more than
ten years. As a passionate chamber musician, Antoine performs regularly with
Emmanuel Ax, Martin Fröst, Leonidas Kavakos, Yo-Yo Ma, Emmanuel Pahud, Yuja
Wang, Shai Wosner, and the Quatuor Ébène.
An ardent educator, Antoine Tamestit served for ten years as Programming Director of
Viola Space Festival in Japan, where he focused on expanding the viola repertoire
and creating diverse educational initiatives. Previously, he held professorships at the
Musikhochschule in Cologne and the Paris Conservatoire and currently teaches at the
Kronberg Academy.
Antoine Tamestit's acclaimed discography spans a wide range of repertoire, from
cornerstone works by Bach, Berlioz, and Hindemith to contemporary concertos and
chamber music. His award-winning recordings feature works by Brahms, Schubert,
Schoenberg, Telemann and Widmann, capturing both historical depth and modern
innovation. Most recently, he recorded Joe Hisaishi’s newly written "Viola Saga" with
Deutsche Grammophon.
Born in Paris, Antoine Tamestit studied with Jean Sulem, Jesse Levine, and with Tabea
Zimmermann. In 2022, he received the prestigious triennial Hindemith Prize of the City
of Hanau in recognition of his contribution to contemporary landscape within classical
music.
Antoine Tamestit plays on the very first viola made by Antonio Stradivarius in 1672,
generously loaned by the Habisreutinger Foundation.