Biography
Should we deprive ourselves of the pleasure of performing an entire part of the history of music’s repertoire simply because it was not originally written for the trumpet? It is in response to this question that Romain Leleu created the Romain Leleu Sextet in 2009, where trumpet and string quintet unite their sonorities in perfect harmony. For 15 years now, starting from a blank page, Romain Leleu and his five companions—musicians from leading French orchestras and quartets—have traced their own path. A singular path where everything is possible: is not transcription just as important as creation? Oscillating between classical music, film scores, and contemporary works, their original repertoire of unique transcriptions, arranged by ensemble member Manuel Doutrelant, resonates with all audiences.
From their very first album, Sur la Route (2013), the ensemble received critical acclaim and ranked among the best-selling classical albums of its time. This was followed by Inspirations (selected for “FIP’s Essential Discotheque: The Must-Have Albums”), as well as Face(s) à Face(s) and Move (harmonia mundi), both of which once again won over audiences and critics alike.
The Romain Leleu Sextet has built strong bonds and been invited by numerous festivals. More than 600 concerts have already been performed at major French and international festivals and venues: La Folle Journée, Festival International de Colmar, Festival d’Auvers-sur-Oise, Festival de Saint-Denis, Festival du Périgord Noir, Festival de Sully et du Loiret, Festival de la Vézère, Festival de Menton, Flâneries Musicales de Reims, Les Folies Bergère, Salle Gaveau, Opéra d’Avignon, Vichy, Limoges, MC2 Grenoble, Radio-France, Festival d’Art Sacré d’Antibes, Festival des Forêts, Saoû chante Mozart, Festival de Chambord, Festival des Grands Crus Musicaux, Festival Classique au Vert… as well as in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Algeria, Italy, Morocco, Bulgaria, Russia, Lebanon, Turkey, and Mexico.
In 2024, with the desire to be closer to its audience and fully in line with its artistic choices, the Romain Leleu Sextet released Nuit Fantastique under its own label, RL Records. This new album, accompanied by an international tour, grants the ensemble complete independence.
From art music to popular music, this unique ensemble on today’s musical landscape boldly transcends the boundaries of styles and eras!
Romain Leleu Sextet receives support from Spedidam and Adami.
