NICOLAS
BALDEYROU
Winning prestigious competitions like the Munich ARD Competition in Munich (Germany), the Dos Hermanas Competition in Sevilla (Spain), and finally, the ICA Young Artist Competition (United States) opened to Nicolas the doors of the most prestigious concert halls all over the world — Carnegie Hall in New York, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Philharmonie de Paris, Salzburg Mozarteum, Wiener Konzerthaus, Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Tokyo, Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory.
As a soloist he is regularly invited to perform with renowned orchestras: Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Orchestre National de France, Czech Philharmonic, Sinfonia Varsovia and Saint-Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra. Starting his career at a very young age he had the chance to work with the legendary conductors — Carlo-Maria Giulini, Claudio Abbado, Bernard Haitink, Kurt Masur. Nowadays, Nicolas performs with Myung-Whun Chung, Alain Altinoglu, Pablo Heras Casado, Mikko Franck, Fabien Gabel.
His encounter with Nikolaus Harnoncourt and Sir Roger Norrington was to prove a shock to his musical life and naturally led him to take an interest in historical instruments and to constantly seek greater authenticity in his historically informed interpretations. Nicolas has recently appeared as soloist on period instruments with the Musiciens du Louvre-Marc Minkowski and the Concert de la Loge conducted by Julien Chauvin.
Nicolas Baldeyrou captivates and fascinates with his mastery, his measure, his virtuosity and his musicality. — ResMusica
Over the past few years, French clarinettist Nicolas Baldeyrou has naturally established himself as one of the most remarkable soloists of his generation. Carving a unique path in today's musical landscape, this "concert artist armed for any challenge" (Diapason) demonstrates a mastery and versatility that transcends eras and styles, navigating with ease through all repertoires, on both historical and modern instruments.
In 2025, he released the first volume of this landmark project: Mozart: Complete Works for Clarinet, Vol. 1. The album was awarded the prestigious Le Choix de France Musique and received glowing reviews from Gramophone, The Guardian, and Online Merker. Gramophone praised it as a "quite marvellous first release in what could be a promising series."
The Guardian wrote: "The performances of all three works by Baldeyrou’s ensemble are bright-toned and crisply characterised."
Online Merker added: "What sets this recording apart is not only the use of historical instruments but also an approach to playing that remains breathing, fluid, and organic at every moment." Further underscoring its success, Diapason magazine bestowed upon it its highest distinction, awarding the album 5 stars
The Guardian wrote: "The performances of all three works by Baldeyrou’s ensemble are bright-toned and crisply characterised."
Online Merker added: "What sets this recording apart is not only the use of historical instruments but also an approach to playing that remains breathing, fluid, and organic at every moment." Further underscoring its success, Diapason magazine bestowed upon it its highest distinction, awarding the album 5 stars
Recent performances of Nicolas include his collaboration with Mannheim National Theatre Orchestra with Benjamin Reiners, Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Thomas Rösner, and the ADDA Simfònica and Rune Bergmann at the Auditorio de la Diputación de Alicante. His last season’s highlights featured a solo recital at the prestigious Festival de Radio France in Montpellier, chamber music concerts with renowned artists such as Martha Argerich, Renaud Capuçon, and Alain Altinoglu, as well as performances at the esteemed French festivals in Colmar and Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Additionally, he was invited to Les coups de Cœur in Château de Chantilly, where he shared the stage with Gérard Caussé and Edgard Moreau.
In recent seasons, Nicolas has appeared in a number of notable performances and debuts, including his debut at La Fenice in Venice, a performance of Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, and chamber music recitals in Seoul with pianist Yeol Eum Son and flutist Sung-hyun Cho. He has also performed in Singapore, Japan, and Taipei.
A frequent guest at major French festivals, Nicolas regularly appears at prestigious events such as the Festival Radio France Occitanie Montpellier and the Festival Ravel in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, where he has been reinvited for the summer of 2026. His repertoire is notably diverse, ranging from the baroque concerto repertoire to chamber music and contemporary works.
A frequent guest at major French festivals, Nicolas regularly appears at prestigious events such as the Festival Radio France Occitanie Montpellier and the Festival Ravel in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, where he has been reinvited for the summer of 2026. His repertoire is notably diverse, ranging from the baroque concerto repertoire to chamber music and contemporary works.
His previous CD, featuring Brahms Sonatas on the Dolce Volta label, was awarded a Diapason d’Or and received 5 stars from Classica magazine.
Nicolas also performed in Katowice this season and will appear at several festivals in the summer, including La Route d’Antaron in France, the Banff Centre in Canada, and the Crusell Music Festival in Finland.
His wide-ranging and eclectic discography covers all aspects of the clarinet repertoire—from early works on period instruments to the most radical contemporary compositions. Every one of his albums has been highly acclaimed and has received major French awards. Recently, Nicolas signed a five-year contract with Alpha Classics to record Mozart’s complete music for clarinet, including both concertante and chamber works, using only historical instruments.
Nicolas Baldeyrou graduated from the CNSMD of Paris (class of Michel Arrignon, Jérôme Julien-Laferrière and Jean-Noël Crocq for bass clarinet). He has held the clarinet chair at the CNSM in Lyon since 2007, in Conservatoire de Versailles since 2025 and has been visiting professor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland since 2019. He is also heavily involved in research and development for the famous wind instrument manufacturer Buffet Crampon, of which he has been an ambassador and tester since 2006. Nicolas is also a Vandoren artist.
Highlights of the 2025/26 season include the premiere of the Clarinet Concerto by Finnish composer Sauli Zinovjev with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France under the baton of François Leleux as well as the tour with the Chiaroscuro Quartet, performing on historical instruments at venues including the Wiener Konzerthaus and Wigmore Hall. Nicolas' further appearances this season include chamber music at the Muziekgebouw in Amsterdam with pianist Samson Tsoy, as well as concerts in Paris at Salle Gaveau and Salle Cortot. Among the season’s notable debuts is his appearance with the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra at the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre and performance at La Musikfest in the Grande Salle Pierre Boulez at the Philharmonie de Paris.
Master class in Il Conservatorio di Reggio Emilia e Castelnovo ne’ Monti, Reggio Emilia, Italy
Reggio Emilia, Italy
Master class in Il Conservatorio di Reggio Emilia e Castelnovo ne’ Monti, Reggio Emilia, Italy
Reggio Emilia, Italy
April 29
April, 30
upcoming events
Mozart Quintet in the Wigmore Hall in London
United Kingdom
May, 6
