Sylvain Blassel (Harp, Arranger)

Born: 1976 - France

The French harpist, Sylvain Blassel, graduated in 1998 from the Lyon Conservatoire National Supérieur Musique et Danse (Lyon CNSMD) under Fabrice Pierre.

Following his graduation Sylvain Blassel was hired as an assistant conductor by the Ensemble Intercontemporai. He works mostly with David Robertson and Pierre Boulez, but also for Peter Eötvös, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Markus Stenz, Jonathan Nott and Hans Zender. This has given him the chance to meet such composers as György Kurtág, György Ligeti, Pascal Dusapin, Emmanuel Nunes, and Ivan Fedele.

As a harpist, Sylvain Blassel plays with numerous orchestras and conductors such as Michel Plasson, Emmanuel Krivine, Alain Lombard, Ivan Fischer and Marek Janowski. His interest in contemporary repertoire has led him to premiere works by Jacques Lenot, Francesco Filidei, Pierre Jodlowsky, Vincent Carinola and Oliver Schneller. In a continual drive to widen his repertoire he has transcribed many works either for solo harp or for chamber ensemble including the harp.

With a passion for old harps, Sylvain Blassel restores and adjusts his own harps under the guidance of Alexandre Budin.

Sylvain Blassel teaches the harp at Lyon CNSMD along with Fabrice Pierre and teaches musical analysis at the Rennes Conservatoire.

Source: Warner Classics & Jazz Website (2009)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (February 2009)

Sylvain Blassel: Short Biography | Recordings of Instrumental Works

Links to other Sites

Bach: Goldberg Variations (Warner)
Lontano Productions: Nos artistes [French]

Blassel Sylvain (Le Magazin de la harpe) [French]