Brice MONTAGNOUX

Born in 1978 in Annecy, Brice Montagnoux studies organ, harmony, counterpoint and analysis at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Lyon (CNSM) with Louis ROBILLIARD and Jean BOYER. There, he obtains the highest honors: National Diploma of Higher Studies of Music (2001), Certificat d’Aptitude (teaching licence of excellence) and a masters in pedagogy.

Winner of the International Organ Competition Xavier Darasse in Toulouse, he was awarded in 2004 the Jean-Louis FLORENTZ Organ Prize, by the French Academy of Fine Arts, leading to a prestigious career, both in France (Paris, Lyon, Nantes, Rennes, Saint-Malo) and abroad (Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Poland), performing regularly in festivals, as a soloist, but also with vocal and instrumental ensembles.

In contact with many historical instruments, Brice MONTAGNOUX develops a particular predilection for the European repertoires of the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as for the French organ school which spans from César Franck to Olivier Messiaen, whilst developing at the same time an interest for eclectic musical practices.

Sensitive musician, in permanent search for excellence and technical mastery, his interpretations convey a clear discourse, with mastery in styles, as well as balance in the registrations.

Interested in the evolution of his own instrument, as well as in the preservation of organological heritage, he is strongly involved with the communities in the creation of new instruments, and the conservation of the existing organs. Since 2017 he is artistic director of the Saint-Maximin organ festival “Organ in summer”.

Brice MONTAGNOUX is appointed organ professor in 2004 at the Regional Conservatory of Toulon (Provence, France). In 2012, he is appointed Director of Cefedem-Sud in Aix-en-Provence, where he dedicates himself to the training and support of young artists and teachers, in partnership with Aix Marseille University, the Grand Théâtre de Provence, the Festival International d’Art Lyrique d’Aix-en-Provence, and many other cultural actors.

Under his leadership, this institution obtains in 2016, by decision of the government, the label Pôle d’enseignement supérieur de la musique (Music School of Excellence) for a wide area that extends from Montpellier to Monaco.
Brice MONTAGNOUX continues today to lead this institution, now named Institut d’enseignement supérieur de la musique (IESM) Europe et Méditerranée.

Brice MONTAGNOUX is also titular organist of the great Isnard historical organs of the Basilica of the Royal Convent of Saint-Maximin la Sainte-Baume, an activity which he prolongs with the artistic direction of the festival “Orgue en été”, and teaching as organ professor at the Conservatory of the Provence Verte.