Théotime Langlois de Swarte

Biography

Passion and eclecticism are the key words which define the music performed by Théotime Langlois de Swarte: his repertoire extends from the 17th century to contemporary works. But it is his multiple collaborations with early music ensembles, particularly in France, that have earned him a nomination for the 2020 Victoires de la Musique Classique in the category “Instrumental Soloist Discovery.” He is a regular player with the Jupiter Ensemble alongside Thomas Dunford, Jean Rondeau, Bruno Philippe, and Léa Desandre, but he also forms part of Les Ombres (Margaux Blanchard, Sylvain Sartre), Pulcinella (Ophélie Gaillard), the Ensemble Marguerite Louise (Gaëtan Jarry), and Les Arts Florissants, performing both as soloist with the group and in recital with William Christie at the harpsichord.

His engagements have taken him around the world and to such prestigious venues as the Berlin Philharmonie, the Vienna Musikverein, the Shanghai National Art Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, and, more recently, the Paris Philharmonie, where he played a recital on the “Davidoff” Stradivarius, housed at the Museum of Music.

Following his studies at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris (CNSMDP) under the tutelage of Michaël Hentz, Théotime formed the ensemble Le Consort with the harpsichordist Justin Taylor. They have since collaborated with vocalists such as Eva Zaïcik, Véronique Gens, and Mathias Vidal, and seen their very first recordings (for Alpha Classics) greeted with wide acclaim, including a 2019 Diapason d’Or of the Year for the album Opus 1.

The Mad Lover marks Théotime’s first recording for harmonia mundi as a soloist. It will be followed by two other releases: a recital played on the “Davidoff” violin with pianist Tanguy de Williencourt (Stradivari Collection) and a duo programme of music by Leclair and Sénaillé with William Christie at the harpsichord.

Théotime Langlois de Swarte is a laureate of the Banque Populaire Foundation and the Jumpstart Foundation. He plays on a Jacob Stainer violin dating from 1665.