Vincent Royer

The French violist and composer Vincent Royer was born in Strasbourg. He studied in Freiburg and Cologne, performing early in various ensembles (Ensemble Köln, Ensemble Modern), dedicating himself intensely to chamber music, improvisation and to the dialogue between various art forms, music, dance and the visual arts. Besides several fellowships, in 1991 he earned the Prix Xenakis for his performance of new music.
He developed 1996 the spectral sonic language for his compositions during an artistic Residence in Banff (Canada), as fellow of the Bourse Lavoisier and in the electronic studio Centre Henri Pousseur in Liège (Belgium).
Exhibiting his creativity in many different forms and aesthetics, he conceived the work Traverse for viola and computer with Gerhard Eckel, selected by the International Computer Music Conference in Berlin in 2000. His encounter with visual artists Joëlle Tuerlinckx and Bob Verschueren led to intense experimental projects. The BRAC Quartet (violin, viola, cello, double bass), which he co-founded, explores new directions of spontaneous composition.
His CD recordings of music by Luc Ferrari, Jean-Luc Fafchamps and Giacinto Scelsi were all awarded the renowned French distinction Coup de Coeur from the Académie Charles Cros.
Since 2010 Vincent Royer is professor of chamber music at the Conservatoire Royal de Liège (Belgium), he regularly conducts seminars and workshops at European und American conservatories and universities.