Les Violons du Roy
The French-Canadian chamber orchestra Les Violons du Roy has a distinctive sound, produced by the use of modern instruments with Baroque bows, and an unusual repertory that stretches as far forward as the 20th century. The group has played a major part in Quebec's cultural life, appearing at such events as the funeral of Quebec separatist leader René Lévesque. Les Violons du Roy were founded in 1984 by conductor Bernard Labadie, who assembled the group from recently graduated string players who had performed in productions of two Baroque operas, Purcell's Dido and Aeneas and Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea, at Quebec City's Laval University. Les Violons du Roy has remained headquartered in Quebec City (since 2007 at the Palais Montcalm) but has also established ongoing concert series in the larger city of Montreal. Its name, meaning "the violins of the king," was adapted from that of "Les vingt-quatre violons du Roy," the court string ensemble of King Louis XIV in the 17th century. At first composed of volunteers, the group was made fully professional in 1992. Another factor contributing to the group's consistency and its development of a consistent sound was Labadie's longevity as director; he held the post until 2014 and continues to serve the orchestra as founding conductor. Jonathan Cohen succeeded him beginning in 2017. Sometimes performing with the choral group La Chapelle Québec, founded by Labadie in 1985 as the Ensemble Vocal Bernard Labadie, Les Violons du Roy became more popular across Canada and then beyond in the '80s and '90s. They toured Europe in 1988 and appeared in Washington, D.C., in 1995. In 1997 they made the first of seven appearances at New York's Carnegie Hall. Les Violons du Roy backed Marc Grauwels on a recording of Mozart flute concertos on Hyperion in 1989. In 1994 they signed with the U.S.-based Dorian label and have continued to record there, as well as for ATMA Classique in Quebec. Their recordings have included not only Baroque and Classical-period music, but also works by Britten and Glass, the latter on a 2018 release on Decca Gold by countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo.
© James Manheim /TiVo
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Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 20 & 23
Charles Richard-Hamelin, Les Violons du Roy, Jonathan Cohen
Concertos - Released by Les Productions Analekta Inc. on Oct 20, 2023
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Haydn: Piano Concertos Nos. 3, 4 & 11
Marc-André Hamelin, Les Violons du Roy, Bernard Labadie
Classical - Released by Hyperion on Mar 31, 2013
Gramophone: Recording of the Month24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 22 & 24
Charles Richard-Hamelin, Les Violons du Roy, Jonathan Cohen
Classical - Released by Groupe Analekta, Inc on Jan 31, 2020
24-Bit 192.0 kHz - Stereo -
Mozart: Horn Concertos & Bassoon Concerto
Louis-Philippe Marsolais, Mathieu Lussier, Les Violons du Roy
Classical - Released by ATMA Classique on Mar 1, 2017
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Harp Concertos: Mozart - Handel - Boieldieu
Valérie Milot, Les Violons du Roy, Bernard Labadie
Chamber Music - Released by Groupe Analekta, Inc. on Oct 29, 2013
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
C.P.E. Bach : Cello Concertos Wq. 170-172
Bernard Labadie, Truls Mørk, Les Violons du Roy
Classical - Released by Warner Classics on Feb 8, 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 (Arr. for Strings & Continuo)
Les Violons du Roy, Bernard Labadie
Classical - Released by ATMA Classique on Apr 11, 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mozart: Opera & Concert Arias
Karina Gauvin, Les Violons du Roy, Bernard Labadie
Classical - Released by ATMA Classique on Mar 1, 2014
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
ARC
Anthony Roth Costanzo, Jonathan Cohen, Les Violons du Roy
Classical - Released by UMC - Decca Gold on Jul 4, 2018
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Vivaldi
Les Violons du Roy, Mathieu Lussier
Classical - Released by ATMA Classique on Mar 1, 2016
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Bonbons
Bernard Labadie, Les Violons du Roy, Diane Lacelle, Marie-Andree Benny
Classical - Released by ATMA Classique on Oct 5, 2010
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Simphonies des noëls
Les Violons du Roy, Bernard Labadie
Classical - Released by ATMA Classique on Jan 1, 1993
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K. 488: II. Adagio
Charles Richard-Hamelin, Les Violons du Roy, Jonathan Cohen
Concertos - Released by Les Productions Analekta Inc. on Sep 22, 2023
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Concertos (Antonio Vivaldi)
Concertos - Released by Dorian on Apr 20, 1999
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Handel: Water Music
Les Violons du Roy, Bernard Labadie
Classical - Released by ATMA Classique on Nov 1, 2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mozart: Requiem in D Minor, K. 626 (Completed by R. Levin) [Live]
La Chapelle de Québec, Les Violons du Roy, Bernard Labadie
Classical - Released by ATMA Classique on Sep 10, 2002
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bach Psaume 51 Cantate 82
Karina Gauvin, Daniel Taylor, Les Violons du Roy, Bernard Labadie
Classical - Released by ATMA Classique on Oct 1, 2004
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Piazzolla: Las Cuatro Estaciones porteñas / Milonga Del Ángel / La Muerta Del Ángel
Les Violons du Roy, Jean-Marie Zeitouni, Pascale Giguère, Benoît Loiselle
Classical - Released by ATMA Classique on Oct 5, 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
1000 Airplanes On The Roof: The Encounter
Anthony Roth Costanzo, Jonathan Cohen, Les Violons du Roy
Classical - Released by UMC - Decca Gold on Jul 20, 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Desmarest: Quatre, Motets & Lorrains
Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal
Classical - Released by Phaia Music on Jan 6, 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Fratres
Classical - Released by ATMA Classique on Apr 1, 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo