Antoine Marguier

Antoine Marguier, a Franco-Swiss conductor, is an emblematic figure in what is known as “classical” music. Born in 1969 in Switzerland, he began his musical career as a solo clarinetist under the direction of Claudio Abbado in prestigious ensembles such as the European Union Youth Orchestra and the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra.

At the age of 22, he became the solo bass clarinetist at the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, where he served for 15 years. It was during this time that his passion for conducting developed, leading him to conduct his first concerts in 1996, under the influence and valuable advice of mentors such as Armin Jordan, James Levine, David Zinman, Marek Janowski, and Yuri Temirkanov.

In 2011, he founded the Orchestre des Nations in Geneva, which he continues to direct as Artistic and Musical Director. This orchestra, composed of international volunteer musicians, creates a unique dynamic of energy and emotion. It aims not only to reflect the experience of the great youth orchestras Marguier was part of but also to recreate those magical moments. The orchestra also strives to democratize classical music, an art form that Marguier, coming from a rural area, only discovered relatively late in life.

Antoine is regularly invited to conduct prestigious international orchestras, from Seoul to Tokyo, and through Durban, Paris, Bangkok, Brussels, Maastricht, Lyon, and Zurich. He collaborates with world-class soloists such as Renée Fleming, Maxim Vengerov, Gautier Capuçon, Khatia Buniatishvili, and many others, showcasing his excellence and charisma.

He has been teaching chamber music and clarinet at the Haute École de Musique in Geneva since 1996 and is deeply committed to higher education through international masterclasses. He shares his expertise with young musicians in Singapore, Seoul, Beijing, and Jerusalem.

Antoine’s musical philosophy, which emphasizes interpretation, conducting, and transmission, is inspired by deep gratitude towards his mentors. This gratitude fuels his determination to educate the next generation of musicians, continuing his passionate commitment to musical excellence and education.