Brendan Champeaux
Brendan Champeaux approaches sound and listening as a physical and sensory experience, exploring the links between acoustic phenomenons, musical form and architectural space, in a sensitive investigation of sound radiation and its expressive potential. He trained as a composer with Jean-Luc Hervé, Gérard Pesson and Franck Bedrossian, as well as Yan Maresz, Luis Naon and Grégoire Lorieux for new technologies. Having studied at the Kunstuniversität Graz (KUG) and the Conservatoire de Paris (CNSMDP), from which he graduated with seven degrees, he has developed a style marked by his experience as a clarinetist and improviser.
His work has been performed by Ensemble Musikfabrik, Klangforum Wien, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Ictus, WDR Sinfonieorchester, EXAUDI, Schallfeld Ensemble, Cairn and Les Cris de Paris, under conductors such as Emilio Pomàrico, Johannes Kalitzke or Vimbayi Kaziboni, in venues as the Wiener Konzerthaus, the Kölner Philharmonie, the Philharmonie de Paris or Kings Place. His works have been broadcast by the BBC, France Musique, WDR (Ger.), ORF (Aus.) and Radio Clásica RNE (Sp.). He regularly collaborates with the American poet Susan Howe (born in 1937), particularly for Periscope (for the 20th anniversary of EXAUDI), Own (for Ictus ensemble) and since 2023 for Concordance, a chamber opera project.
The 2024-2025 season saw the premiere of Ask, commissioned by Klangforum Wien for the opening of its season at the Wiener Konzerthaus; Blinds for Ensemble Musikfabrik at the Kölner Philharmonie, after winning the Acht Brücken international competition; and Own for Ictus ensemble, commissioned by Radio France. From February to April 2025, he was hosted in Graz as part of the Styrian-Artist in Residence program, held by Land Steiermark. For the 2025-2026 season, he is resident at the Casa de Velázquez – Académie de France à Madrid.
