Creative writer of “Rencontres des solistes du monde” (Meeting of the world’s soloists), festival that brings together artists, singers and poly instrumentalists from six different nationalities. In 2007, performances in Mieres, Asturies (Spain); Milagros, Castille and Leon (Spain); Les Herbiers, Vendée (France).
Initiator, general coordinator and director (and organizer together with Michel PALVADEAU) of the “Championnats de France et 2ème Championnats du Monde d’Escrime Artistique” (France Championship and 2nd edition of the world championship of artistic fencing) in les Sables d’Olonne May the 20th, 21st and 22nd of 2004 (Les Atlantes), in partnership with: l’Académie d’Armes de France (the Arms Academy of France), la Fédération Française d’Escrime (French Federation of Fencing), le Conservatoire Régional d’Escrime Artistique de Théâtre et de Spectacle -CREATS- ( The regional conservatory of artistic fencing for show and theatre), Le Conseil Régional des Pays de la Loire (Regional council of les Pays de la Loire), le Conseil Général de Vendée (General council of Vendée), the city council of les Sables d’Olonne, Radio France Bleu Loire Océan, Ouest-France, ADIDAS, l’AFPA (Adult’s professional training Association) … etc.
Initiator and co founder of the European festival of musics and dances of the Renaissance “FESTIVAL DEUX MESURES” (first edition in Vendée -la Chabotterie-, October 2002, 2nd edition in Loire Atlantique in the castle of la Balinière –Rezé-, October 2003, 3rd edition in Vendée – Montaigu, October 2004, 4th edition in Loire Atlantique in the castle of Goulaine, October 2005).
Founder of the “Fêtes de la Vielle en Vendée” (Celebration of the “vielle” in Vendée), 7 editions in total from 1985 to 1991.
Set up of institutional partnerships
Initiator and creator of the first “Conservatoire National d’Escrime Ancienne” (National Conservatory of ancient fencing) in France - Luçon, 2004 – in partnership with the regional council of les Pays de la Loire, the general council of Vendée, the city council of Luçon and the Arms academy of France.
Co initiator of the establishment of the OUTRE MESURE company in the castle of Montaigu as part of an agreement with the council of Montaigu. (The OUTRE MESURE company is supported by the Ministry of culture -DRAC-, the regional council of les Pays de la Loire, the general council of Vendée; the company’s application has been supported by Laurent TIXIER and Robin JOLY from 1999 to 2005)
Project for 2009: Initiator and in charge of creating a master degree of ancient fencing in the “Etats Generaux”’s room of the Royal castle of Blois. (Loire et Cher department)
Creator of artistic and cultural shows
Writer, stage director and artistic director of the show “D’Ames en Lames” that was played in the Royal castle of Blois during summer 2007 (33 days of show) and summer 2008 (58 days of show). It is a crossed arts show that combines theatre, fencing and ancient music from the XVI and XVII centuries.
Writer, stage director and artistic director of the show “1249 - Fées et chevaliers” (fairies and knights) that took place in the castle of Montrichard (Loire et Cher). A fantastic show that introduces more than 120 participants in a total number of 20 night-shows between 2008 and 2009.
Stage director, artistic director and in charge of the scenography of the play “Les Trois Mousquetaires” (The Three Musketeers) by Alexandre Dumas. Crossed arts show grouping together the baroque orchestra “La Symphonie du Marais” created by Hugo Reyne, the “Ballets de Vendée” (the Ballet of Vendée), the National conservatory of ancient fencing (CNEA in French), 20 professional actors and more than 40 volunteers for a wide pageant taking place in the cloister of the cathedral of Luçon, ancient diocese of the cardinal Richelieu (5 shows in July 2006).
Creator of the one-man show “Le Lycanthrope” at the request of WWF for the closing forum of “L’Alliance pour la Planète” (together for the planet) – association that groups together 50 associations in favour of the environmental conservation- March 2006 in the “Usine” in St Denis (93).
Creator, synopsis and artistic director of the show “Maîtres Sonneurs et Maîtres d’Armes» (Masters ring and Masters arms) - music, ancient fencing, songs and dances from the XVI and XVII centuries - together with A SEI VOCI, the OUTRE MESURE company and the National Conservatory of ancient fencing. Artist in residence program within the framework of “la scène conventionnée de Sablé sur Sarthe” (in-network stage of Sablé sur Sarthe). The show was played in 2005.
The premiere was first played in Sablé sur Sarthe (72) on the 4th of March 2005, then in the Avignon festival “off” on the 14th and 15th of July 2005, in Apremont (85) on the 5th of August 2005 and finally in Luçon (85) on the 6th of September 2005.
Creation and stage director of the show “Sonneries et Danceries en Place d’Armes” (Ringings and Dances in Arms Place) together with the OUTRE MESURE company and the CNEA. Preview at the castle of la Balinière in Rezé (44) on the occasion of the “Festival Deux Mesures”. Outside show played in 2003 and 2004.
Together with YOLE, creation of the opening & the closing ceremony of the “4ème Festival de danses et musiques du Monde 2002” (4th festival of the world’s dances and musics in 2002) in Cugand (Vendée): music creation, dance and performance alongside the 15 present nationalities).
Participation to the 7th, 8th and 10th edition of the Festival of the world’s dances and musics (2005,2006 and 2008) but this time as a presenter and soloist/poly instrumentalist of about 15 ethnic musical instruments. Performance executed in front of more than 5000 people.
Musician-singer and co-creation, together with YOLE and the Pastière company of the show ‘ Per l’amor del lei” for the castle of Azay le Rideau (summer 2001).
Creator (texts and musics) of the show “Atlantic” together with YOLE. Artist in residence program at the national scene of Le Manège in la Roche sur Yon (85) as part of the agreement for the creation of the sound, lights and staging of the show. Stage direction by Jean Renaud GARCIA. Preview in October 2001.
Sound illustration of the “1er Son et Lumière” (1st sound and light) in the Castle of Ventadour (19). Summer 2000.
Co-creator, stage director and musician/singer in a musical show on the theme of “Chants et Musiques traditionnelles des Guerres de Vendée” (Traditional songs and musics in the Vendée wars) played in the Grande Halle of la Villette -Paris-. This musical show was performed on the occasion of “89 avant première” (1989 preview) together with the ensemble of traditional music LA MARIENNE in 1988.
Poly-instrumentalist
“Vielle à roue”, bagpipes, oboe, ethnic flutes … (about 20 instruments)
Musician and poly instrumentalist in the musical ensemble A SEI VOCI during the concert tour: “Chants de Noël du Sacré au Profane” (Christmas carols from the sacred to the profane) in Compiègne, Montfaucon… in December 2005.
Work in collaboration with Robert HOSSEIN, Raoul LE CHENADEC, Patrice MARTINEAU, Alix QUONIAM… on a soundtrack dedicated to St Jacques de Compostelle “L’appel de St Jacques” (St Jacques’ call).
Founder of the “Petit Orchestre de Vendée” (Vendée little orchestra). CD and concerts in 1999 and 2000.
Participation in the musical creation of a show in regional language (Maraîchin) and interpreter. This show was played together with the BRIMBALURES company in the exhibition centre of St Jean de Monts and in the Conserverie of St Gilles Croix de Vie
-Vendée- in 2002 and 2003.
“Vielle” player and lecturer on the occasion of the “Bicentenaire de la Vielle à Jenzat” (Bicentenary of the “Vielle” in Jenzat) -Allier, 1995-. Same performance on the occasion of the “8ème Fête de la Vielle de Pontoise” (8th Celebration of the “Vielle” of Pontoise) -1995- and of the “Fête de la Vielle à Langueux” (Celebration of the “vielle” in Langueux) - Brittany, 1995-.
Between 1990 and 2002, concert artist in Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Spain, Germany, Belgium, French overseas territory and in France together with various companies (YOLE, OUTRE MESURE Company, Maitre Guillaume Company…)
Co founder of the ensemble STELLA MARIS (Courtly love songs from the XII to the XIII century). Concerts performed together in the Sainte Chapelle (Paris), in the Ile aux Moines (56) and in the castle of Ventadour (19) in 1997.
Traditional music and world music
Creator of the evening show “3 artistes, 3 continents, 3 luths” (3 artists, 3 continents, 3 lutes) that brought together Sudan, Japan and France in the train station of Fontenay-le-Comte (85) in November 2007.
Founder, leader and singer/musician poly instrumentalist of the YOLE group since 1990:
Concerts with YOLE in Europe between 1990 and 2002 (date of the dissolution of the group by Laurent TIXIER). The special interest magazines qualified this ensemble as the flagship group of traditional French music.
7 discs:
The 7th one named “Atlantic” has been produced and distributed by Frémeaux and associates in 33 countries. Between 2000 and 2001, this album received the award “les Bravos” from the magazine “Trad’Magazine” and the award “Ecoutez voir” from the magazine “Ecoutez voir”. The album “Atlantic” was also selected by the magazine “ENA”. In 1998, the album named “A 600 Lieues” received the award “les Bravos” from the magazine “Trad’Magazine” along with the magazine selection.
Musician accompanist of “Maire en Filha” (Occitan female singers) during a concert in the Abbey of Sylvanes on the occasion of the “Festival de Chants Sacrés –2002” (Festival of sacred songs).
In 2003, contribution to the recording of the double album “GAÏA” or “Le Concert Sur Le Toit Du Monde” (the concert on the top of the world) by Alan SIMON together with the PHILHARMONIC PRAGUE ORCHESTRA, Césaria EVORA, The NEW YORK Gospel Choir, ZUCCHERO, FLEETWOOD MIKE, Andreas VOLLENWEIDER, Carlos NUNEZ, Lee HOLDRIGE (Jonathan Livingstone le Goéland …)…
Concert artist at the “Festival de Balzac” (Balzac’s festival) in Angoulême, at the “Festival de Musique Vivante” (Festival of Living Music) in Ris-Orangis, at the “Festival des Monédières” in Corrèze, at the “500ème Anniversaire de Rabelais” (500th Birthday of Rabelais) in Vendée, at the “5ème Ciclo de Musica Tradicional de Jerez” in Spain etc.… (Years 1993 / 1994).
First nominated as a “vielle” player on the occasion of the Competition of Ringers by couple at the 10th “Vielle” Festival in Anost in 1987 (Burgundy)
Second nominated on the occasion of the Monterfil Festival in Brittany in 1987.
Musics and dances of the French Renaissance
Co founder of the OUTRE MESURE Company in 1996
Many performances and Renaissance balls: castle of Chambord on the “Journées Claude LEJEUNE” (Claude Lejeune’s day), Conservatory’s Auditorium of La Roche sur Yon, L’Espal in Mans, Castle of Azay le Rideau, on the occasion of “Monum’Vert”, Renaissance Celebration in Guérande, Renaissance Celebration in l’Herbergement, Festival in Ambronay, l’ACADEMIE D’ETE (summer academy) in Guérande (training on the musics and dances of the Renaissance), Salon Mauduit in Nantes, Criée in Croisic, Renaissance Celebration in Amboise, Renaissance Celebration in Souvigny -Sologne- …
CD-booklet “Dansez Renaissance” (Dance the Renaissance) in 2001 from the Outre Mesure company. Two awards for the album: “9” from the Répertoire magazine (the highest grade goes to the booklet) and “Bravos” from the “Trad’Magazine”. Diffusion by Intégral distribution.
Educational performances - Multidisciplinary Instructor
Creator and interpreter of educational concerts in favour of the local association for the evolution of music in Loire-Atlantique, together with the OUTRE MESURE company. Show named “Voix de Villes et Voix de Champs” (Cities Voice and Lands Voice), songbook from the XVI century. 2004 and 2005.
Creator and interpreter of educational concerts in favour of the cultural action of the General council of Vendée: “Chants, musiques et contes pour enfants” (Songs, musics and tales for children). 2003 to 2005.
Creator of educational workshops
For the departmental school of national heritage (85) as part of the national heritage workshops: educational workshops on instruments and traditional dances for primary and secondary school children. Since 1995.
Instructor
Musician, instructor and professional lecturer during the “1er Festival National des Chorales Scolaires” (First national festival of school chorals) in partnership with the Academy of Nantes. 2000
Instructor of a musicians team for the “Cité Médiévale” (Medieval city) in the Puy du Fou Park (same team playing in 2001 and 2002).
Supervisor of “vielle” trainings in Spain on behalf of the Castille and Leon government at the Ethnographic Centre of Uruena -Spain- as well as in France. 1994/1995.
Former teacher of “Vielle à Roue” at the Conservatory of les Sables d’Olonne, St Gilles Croix de Vie and St Hilaire de Riez (1990/1993).
Co creator of the reconstitution of “vielles” of Vendée with the aim of teaching it again in musical schools. Elaboration of the instrument blueprint according to the memory of the elders. (From 1984 to 1995)
Speaker at the CFP of Aubépine in la Roche sur Yon (1992) in order to raise primary school teacher’s awareness about traditional dance and music.
Expert in ancient music - cultural counsellor
Recording of 5 instruments for the music of the show “automates musiciens” (musical automatons) in the new village of the Puy du Fou Park called the “Bourg 1900” (1900 market town) in 2004.
Artistic advisor and music interpreter for Nick GLENNIE SMITH (Iron Mask, Attila, We are soldiers… and co signed with ZIMMER the soundtrack of the movie Gladiator) on the occasion of the new musical creation of the night show Cinéscénie of the Puy du Fou.
Soloist and poly instrumentalist playing more than 20 “ethnic” musical instruments together with the Budapest philharmonic orchestra and the Montreal choral in 2003.
Concert-conference on the theme of the “Vielle à roue” in the Music conservatory of la Balinière in Rezé (44).
Musical conference on “L’ethnomusicologie en Vendée” (ethnomusicology in Vendée) and on “La Vielle en Bas-Poitou” (the “vielle” in Bas-Poitou) in the Poitou Charente Centre for higher education in music and dance (Poitiers -1999).
Artistic advisor for the “Nuit Latine de Mauriac” (Mauriac’s latin night) in Cantal – 1998.
Musical conference on “La musique traditionnelle et le Protestantisme à l’époque des guerres de religions” (Traditional music and Protestantism at the time of religious wars) -1997, played in the Musée des Protestants of Bois-Tiffrais in Vendée.
On behalf of the General council of Vendée, in charge of the safeguard and the transmission of the local oral heritage to the general counsellors and mayors of Vendée between 1991 and 1993.
In cooperation with the elders of Brittany and Vendée, seeks and collects songs and traditional musics during 15 years.
Participates to a numerous number of radio broadcastings (Dublin, Milan, Valladolid, Paris ...) and television broadcastings (RFO, Régions Bourgogne, Centre, Pays de La Loire, TVE, TF1...).
Swordsman (ancient fencing) - actor
Actor and soloist-dancer playing the role of the devil in “Le Soldat de Stravinsky” (The Soldier by Stravinsky), directed and choreographed by Marie-Christine DAVIET, artistic director of the Ballets of Vendée, 2007 and 2008.
First role in the part of “Don Quichotte” on the occasion of “Maîtres Sonneurs et Maîtres d’Armes» (Masters ring and Masters arms), Musics, ancient fencing, songs and dances from the XVI and XVII centuries) in 2005.
Reconstruction of a Renaissance-like fencing duel (religions wars) in the CREATS for a first role in the night-show of the “Logis de La Ménardière” at St Pierre du Chemin (85) and in the “Foire Renaissance de L’Herbergement 2003” (Renaissance celebration of l’Herbergement 2003).
Musician-actor in the show “Roméo et Julietta” by the Pastière company in the castles of Plessis-Bourré, Amboise, Gizeux and touvois (summers 2001 and 2002).
Laurent TIXIER - DISCOGRAPHY
OUTRE-MESURE company and Laurent TIXIER, uncut version 2007
“Itinéraire d’un vielliste au XVIème siècle» (2 awards)
OUTRE-MESURE company “Orchésographie” uncut version 2006
- triple album-
(1 award)
OUTRE-MESURE company “Dansez Renaissance”, uncut version 2001/2006
(2 awards)
YOLE “Atlantic” Edition Frémeaux et Associés 2000
(2 awards)
YOLE “A 600 lieues” Edition Eden Productions 1998
(1 award)
YOLE “A la Source” Edition Several Records Madrid 1994
YOLE “L’amour d’Eloïse” Edition Several Records Madrid 1993
YOLE “Chants et Musiques de Vendée” Edition Eden Productions 1992/1997
YOLE “Musique Ancienne en Vendée” Edition Eden Productions 1990/1997
YOLE and Joaquin DIAZ “Affinités” Edition Caskabel S.L. 1995
CINESCENIE of the PUY du FOU by Nick GLENNIE-SMITH 2003
Alan Simon “GAIA” Edition Isis Music 2003
Pays de La Loire “Le pays des harmonies” Edition Pays de la Loire 2002
Patrice and Roger MARTINEAU “Chantent Raoul Follereau” 2002
LA MARIENNE “Un bal en Vendée” Edition Eden Productions 1996/1998
LA MARIENNE “Chap’ti l’va loin” Edition Eden Productions 1991/1997
LA MARIENNE “Poitou-Vendée” Edition M.A.D. 1988
BAL A LA MAISON Edition Trad Magazine 2002
LE PETIT ORCHESTRE DE VENDEE “Un Noël en Vendée” Edition Grasla Productions 1999
L’APPEL DE ST JACQUES Editions JADE 1999
Paco DIEZ “Màs que un oficio” Edition conférencier Records Madrid 1997
STELLA MARIS “vol.1” Edition Eden Productions 1996
HABAS VERDES”En el jardin de la hierba buena” Edition conférencier Records Madrid 1996
CHARETTE “L’homme et sa légende” Edition Eden Productions 1996
CHRISTINE HELYA Edition Oreil Productions 1996
5 volumes of sailors songs, Edition Mémoire des Vendéens :
- Compilation 1993
- Fi d’vess 1992
- Ah be veruz 1991
- Ent’vergue et raban 1990
- In pien bas d’armor... ben affetaë 1989
Two volumes on “La chasse en Vendée” Edition Mémoire des Vendéens
- Canoere 1992
- La Chasse Galery 1991
Douarnenez 89 “Fête du chant de marin” Edition du Chasse-Marée 1989
10th celebration of the “vielle” Edition UGMM Bourgogne 1988
FILMOGRAPHY
NOËL AU MOYEN-AGE Buena Vista for TF1 (Disney) 1996
CLIP DE LA CHABOTTERIE General council of Vendée (K7 vidéo) 1994
LES VENDEENS (full length film + video tape) J. DUPONT for France 3 1993
VENT DE GALERNE (full length film) C. NEDJAR et B. FAVRE, Century Fox 1989
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Dossier Spécial Vielle Trad Magazine, n°54, p.30-33, TIXIER 1997
La Vielle en Vendée Edition CAD, L.TIXIER 1988
La Vielle en Pays Vendéen Tradition Vivante, n°8, p.51-56, TIXIER 1986
Research and Renaissance of the vielle in the Vendée, Sinfonye, n°6, p.21-26, L.TIXIER 1986
Laurent TIXIER was born on the 2nd of September 1962 in Etampes (91).
Self taught in all the domains mentioned above
He lives in Vendée, is married and has two children.
