Julien Beautemps, accordion
Winner of the Prix Jeune Soliste 2023 des Médias Francophones Publics and of the Fondation l'Or du Rhin 2023, Julien Beautemps is renowned for his "musical intelligence, stunning virtuosity and mastery" (Radio France). Winner of a dozen international competitions (Grand Prix Musical Lauredia 2023 in Andorra, 1st Prize 2021 at the PIF International Competition in Castelfidardo, Italy, 3rd Prize 2021 at the Trophée Mondial de l'Accordéon), Julien is in demand abroad (Italy, Serbia, Belgium). He performs regularly on France Musique and Radio Classique. Gautier Capuçon recruited him for the 2022 "Un Été en France" tour. Julien has also released his first solo album, Mechanics (Nügo label), featuring his latest creations.
Julien began playing the accordion at the age of 5 in Grenoble. He obtained his bachelor's degree at the Paris Conservatoire (CNSMDP) with Max Bonnay, then two master's degrees (including one in chamber music) in the classes of Vincent Lhermet, Philippe Bernold and François Salque (2023). He also holds the Diplôme d'Etat (DE). He is currently continuing his studies at the HEMU in Lausanne (Master of Soloist) in the class of Fanny Vicens, and at the CNSMDP (Diplôme d'Artiste Interprète).
A "genius arranger" (France Musique), Julien performs his own arrangements of masterpieces on stage. Also a composer, he plays his own music, notably his piece Mechanics (1st prize for composition at the Trophée Mondial de l'Accordéon 2021), which has just been published by Klarthe. The freshness and rhythmic energy of this piece revealed him at the end of 2020 in the programme "Générations France Musique, le live". His Sonate pour la Résurrection for violin and accordion met with great success this year in the Salle Cortot (École Normale de Paris) with violinist Thomas Briant.
This acclaimed soloist is also a seasoned chamber musician. He is a founding member of the Duo Argos with Greek guitarist Sotiris Athanasiou, with whom he produces arrangements of George Gerswhin's Rhapsody in Blue, Claude Debussy's La Cathédrale Engloutie, and Fazil Say's Black Earth (forthcoming from Schott Music). Julien is also the founder of the Méliphages ensemble, a group of friends from the Paris Conservatoire (CNSMDP) who offer a fresh take on twentieth-century masterpieces.