Sarah Louvion

3rd Prize flute 2001

Born in the North of France, Sarah Louvion studied the flute with Raymond Guiot, Philippe Pierlot and Vincent Lucas. She gained a place at the National Conservatoire of Music in Paris. Studying in the classes of Alain Marion and Sophie Cherrier she was awarded the first prize for flute, as well as the prize for chamber music. She concluded her studies in the Cycle of Excellency.

Thanks to these remarkable accomplishments, Sarah Louvion was made a fellow of the Yamaha Foundation of Europe, and of the Meyer Foundation. In addition, she enjoys the sponsorship of both the Société Générale and the Foundation of the Banque Populaire Group.

Alongside her musical education she pursued studies in mathematics and physics at university which highlights another facet of her extraordinary career path.

Sarah Louvion has won numerous prizes at international competitions. For example, in 2001, she was awarded first prize at the International Competition for flute in Kobe, Japan, and third prize at the International Competition in Geneva, while in 1999, she won second prize at the International "Syrinx" Competition in Rome. More recently, she was awarded the international prize Pro Musicis (in the solo category) in Paris in December 2011.

Sarah is gaining a fine reputation as a soloist performing in a range of national and international festivals including the MIDEM in Cannes, the festival of Radio-France and festivals in Prades, Weilburg (Germany) among many others. At the International Festival of Colmar she premièred the sonata for flute and piano by Guillaume Connesson, which was dedicated to her by the composer.

As well as her solo work, Sarah is well known as a chamber musician, and plays regularly with the pianist Delphine Bardin (winner of the first prize of the Clara Haskil competition). She has also been honoured with invitations to various countries whose cultures continue to be a source of inspiration to her. These include Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Pakistan, China, Hong-Kong, and Israel.
In 2002, Sarah Louvion gained a place as principal flautist at the Frankfurt Opera and Museum Orchestra. The Opera of Frankfurt has been awarded the title of Opera House "number one" in Germany for the last three years consecutively. In this position she has the opportunity to combine performances as a soloist in chamber music, opera and the symphonic repertoire. In all these roles she enjoys "enchanting" with the voice of her instrument and rejoices in her ability to lead other musicians.

Sarah regularly teaches master classes such as one in Japan organized by Muramatsu, her preferred and highly esteemed flute label.

She recorded her first CD with Farao. Celebrated by the critics (the CD received 5* by Diapason, selection de France musiques…), it is dedicated to French music and includes the Concerto for flute by Jolivet, the Quintets by Roussel and Jolivet, and the first recording of the concerto by Bauzin, which is dedicated to Jean-Pierre Rampal.

Sarah Louvion appears regularly as a soloist with the Frankfurt Museums Orchestra, The National Orchestra of Lille, the National Chamber Orchestra of Toulouse, the National Orchestra of Île de France, the Orchestra Pasdeloup, the Chamber Orchestra Amadeus, the Orchestra of Douai, the Tokyo Ensemble, and the Chamber Orchestra of Moscou.

In February 2012 she performed Mozart's Concerto for flute and harp with the harpist Xavier de Maistre, under the direction of Bertrand de Billy.

In addition to her work as solo flautist at the Frankfurt Opera Orchestra, her future projects include a recital in Paris (Salle Cortot, with Delphine Bardin), a recital in Kobe, various chamber music concerts, and recitals with the harpist Françoise Friedrich. She is also preparing a CD for flute and piano, which will be dedicated to French-German Romantic music. This production will unite her country of birth, France, with her adopted country, Germany.

www.sarahlouvion.com