Olivier Chassain was born in Paris in 1957. He learnt to play the guitar in Limousin with Roger Généraux and continued his training with Carel Harms. At 20 years old he entered the Conservatoire de Paris (now CNSMDP) where he is awarded the Premier Prix de Guitare, d'Harmonie et de Contrepoint in 1982, in Alexandre Lagoya, Bernard de Crépy and Roger Boutry’s classes.
Nowadays he leads a triple-career life, combining concert performances, composing and teaching.
Since winning the first prize of the world-renowned Guitar Foundation of America International Competition (the first non-American to do so), Olivier Chassain has been on tour in Europe, Africa, Asia, Canada and the USA.
Olivier Chassain’s repertoire is very eclectic and stretches from Renaissance to contemporary music. For many years he dedicated himself to the lute and the vihuela so he could be able to transmit his passion for early music. He is also fond of French music from the Grand Siècle and Romantic music, which he plays solo or accompanying famous artists like Pascal Gallois, Philippe Muller, Pierre-Henri Xuereb, Raphaël Pidoux, Éric Aubier and Guy Millière.
Olivier Chassain wrote numerous pieces for guitar alone, such as Échos fantasques, Étoiles, Arion, De loin en loin, sonata for two guitars, or with other instruments, like Doigts de fées for flute and guitar, sonata for one guitar. He is also the author of some chamber music and many educational pieces like Patchwork, Histoire de trains, Orléans Memories, Mas Doumy's Circus, Ad hoc and Brèves de pupitre.
Olivier Chassain taught at the Conservatoire d'Orléans from 1978 to 1991, then at the Conservatoire de Bordeaux until 1994 when he took over Alexandre Lagoya’s role, teaching the Guitar Class at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris. Alongside his lectures, Olivier Chassain regularly gives instrumental improvement sessions in festivals or in Summer Academies, like in Dordogne, at the Britten de Périgueux School, from 1995 to 2010. The institute, directed by Jean-Jacques Rouveroux, organized punctual lectures in all musical fields, attracting many internationally renowned artists.
Nowadays he leads a triple-career life, combining concert performances, composing and teaching.
Since winning the first prize of the world-renowned Guitar Foundation of America International Competition (the first non-American to do so), Olivier Chassain has been on tour in Europe, Africa, Asia, Canada and the USA.
Olivier Chassain’s repertoire is very eclectic and stretches from Renaissance to contemporary music. For many years he dedicated himself to the lute and the vihuela so he could be able to transmit his passion for early music. He is also fond of French music from the Grand Siècle and Romantic music, which he plays solo or accompanying famous artists like Pascal Gallois, Philippe Muller, Pierre-Henri Xuereb, Raphaël Pidoux, Éric Aubier and Guy Millière.
Olivier Chassain wrote numerous pieces for guitar alone, such as Échos fantasques, Étoiles, Arion, De loin en loin, sonata for two guitars, or with other instruments, like Doigts de fées for flute and guitar, sonata for one guitar. He is also the author of some chamber music and many educational pieces like Patchwork, Histoire de trains, Orléans Memories, Mas Doumy's Circus, Ad hoc and Brèves de pupitre.
Olivier Chassain taught at the Conservatoire d'Orléans from 1978 to 1991, then at the Conservatoire de Bordeaux until 1994 when he took over Alexandre Lagoya’s role, teaching the Guitar Class at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris. Alongside his lectures, Olivier Chassain regularly gives instrumental improvement sessions in festivals or in Summer Academies, like in Dordogne, at the Britten de Périgueux School, from 1995 to 2010. The institute, directed by Jean-Jacques Rouveroux, organized punctual lectures in all musical fields, attracting many internationally renowned artists.
"Olivier Chassain is a true artist [...] take this opportunity to hear him and tug a respectful forelock"
(John Duarte for Gramophone)
(John Duarte for Gramophone)