Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPaTzNPMIYk
“Meditation No. 1” – Julien Labro, composer
(Takács Quartet, Julien Labro)
Track from: Takács Assad Labro
Julien Labro shares, “I’m thrilled and honored to be nominated for “Best Classical Contemporary Composition” at the 2024 Latin GRAMMYs. I’m deeply grateful to the Takács Quartet for their beautiful music-making, which truly captured the spirit of the composition, and to Yarlung Artists Records for the stunning recording.
“Meditation No. 1” – Julien Labro, composer
(Takács Quartet, Julien Labro)
Track from: Takács Assad Labro
Congratulations to my fellow nominees who continue to inspire, and thank you to the voting members of the Academy for taking the time to listen to countless recordings and cast your votes. I’m beyond thankful and grateful. The quartet includes Edward Dusinberre, Harumi Rhodes (violins), Richard O’Neill (viola) and András Fejér (cello).”
Heralded as “the next accordion star,” Julien Labro has established himself as one of the foremost accordion and bandoneón players in both the classical and jazz genres. Deemed to be “a triple threat: brilliant technician, poetic melodist and cunning arranger,” his artistry, virtuosity, and creativity as a musician, composer and arranger have earned him international acclaim and continue to astonish audiences worldwide.
Picking up the accordion at 9, French-born Labro’s earliest influence was traditional folk music and the melodic, lyrical quality of the French chanson. After graduating from the Marseille Conservatory and sweeping first prize in many international accordion competitions, Labro moved to the United States to further pursue his musical dream.
Equipped with advanced degrees in classical music, jazz studies, and composition, Labro draws from his diverse background and eclectic musical influences in his search for new themes and untried concepts, evolving and developing his ideas into new projects. Labro has worked with numerous symphonies, chamber ensembles and collaborators around the world. His albums and busy performance schedule is a testament of his musical journey.
Upcoming 2024 – 2025 performances:
Date: Artist: City
09/28/24 Takács Quartet with Julien Labro, bandoneón; Oberlin, OH; Oberlin Artist Recital Series @ Finney Memorial Chapel
New Works by Clarice Assad and Bryce Dessner commissioned by the MusicAccord Consortium
10/28/24 Takács Quartet with Julien Labro, bandoneón; Portland, OR; Portland Friends Of Chamber Music @ Lincoln Performance Hall
New Works by Clarice Assad and Bryce Dessner commissioned by the MusicAccord Consortium
11/23/24 Maria Schneider Orchestra; New York, NY Town Hall
12/11/24 Julien Labro with Orchestra of St Luke’s Chamber Ensemble; New York, NY Carnegie Hall (Weill Recital Hall) US
01/11/25 Soloist with New World Symphony’ Miami, FL Adrienne Arsht Center, Knight Concert Hall
Astor Piazzolla’s “Four Seasons of Buenos Aires”
Paolo Bortolameolli, conductor
01/17/25 Takács Quartet with Julien Labro, bandoneón; Chicago, IL;UChicago Presents @ Mandel Hall
New Works by Clarice Assad and Bryce Dessner commissioned by the MusicAccord Consortium
03/22/25 Soloist with Texarkana Symphony; Texarkana, TX; Perot Theater
US Premiere of Labro’s Bandoneon Concerto “El Fueye del Tiburón” (The Bellows of the Shark)
Piazzolla’s Adios Nonino
Philip Mann, conductor
