Gérard Caussé, born 26 June 1948 in Toulouse, France, is a renowned violist known for his warm tone, technical mastery, and musical sensitivity. Trained at the Paris Conservatoire, he gained international acclaim as a soloist and chamber musician, performing with major orchestras and collaborating with artists like Gidon Kremer and Yo-Yo Ma.
Gérard Caussé
His diverse repertoire spans Baroque to contemporary music, and he has premiered works by composers like Henri Dutilleux. A passionate advocate for the viola, Caussé has expanded its repertoire and earned awards for recordings of Mozart, Berlioz, and Bartók. As an educator at institutions like the Paris Conservatoire and Madrid’s Reina Sofía School, he inspires young musicians. His artistry and dedication have solidified his legacy in classical music.
To celebrate his birthday on 26 June, let’s feature some of his most iconic recordings and performances.
Gérard Caussé Performs Bartók’s Viola Concerto
Soulful Journey
“Viola Legend-The Erato Years” is a compilation album showcasing Caussé’s versatility across various viola works, earning critical acclaim for its breadth and artistry. His performance of the Hummel Viola Sonata unfolds like a conversation between old friends. Breathing life into Hummel’s elegant melodies, Caussé captures the refined charm of the Classical era while infusing it with a Romantic soul.
In the tender Adagio, Caussé’s phrasing becomes a quiet confession, drawing listeners into the viola’s introspective depths.
Critics have lauded Caussé’s ability to elevate the viola’s voice, with Gramophone praising his “exquisite tonal palette and nuanced expressivity.” The Strad has highlighted the Hummel recordings for its “luminous clarity and emotional generosity,” emphasising how his interpretation uncovers the sonata’s often-overlooked subtleties.
Johann Nepomuk Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5, No. 3 (Gérard Caussé, viola; François-René Duchâble, piano)
Echoes of Mortality
Gérard Caussé’s performance of Shostakovich’s Viola Sonata in C Major is a profound exploration of the composer’s final work, a haunting meditation on life and mortality.
Caussé captures the sonata’s stark beauty, navigating its sparse textures and emotional complexity with a rare sensitivity.
Critics have hailed his interpretation as revelatory, with MusicWeb International describing his recording as “superb,” noting how Caussé’s “exquisite control and emotional depth” illuminate the sonata’s unique place in Shostakovich’s oeuvre.
Similarly, The Strad praises his ability to eschew generic legato for a “parlando-like eloquence,” bringing a conversational intimacy to the work’s bleak landscape. Caussé’s performance, both commanding and tender, transforms this late masterpiece into a deeply human narrative, leaving audiences and critics alike moved by its stark, soulful resonance.
Dmitri Shostakovich: Viola Sonata, Op. 147 (Gérard Caussé, viola; Brigitte Engerer, piano)
Spellbinding Dance
Gérard Caussé’s recording of Paul Hindemith’s Viola Sonata is a captivating journey through the composer’s vibrant and introspective soundscape. Caussé’s viola sings with a warm, commanding tone, effortlessly blending the sonata’s lyrical warmth with its angular, modernist edge.
Critics have lauded Caussé’s interpretation for its insight and artistry, with Gramophone praising his ability to “reveal the sonata’s structural brilliance while infusing it with soulful warmth.”
Fanfare magazine notes his recording as “a benchmark,” highlighting Caussé’s “impeccable control and vibrant musicality” that bring out the work’s unique blend of intellect and emotion. Caussé transforms Hindemith’s sonata into a profound dialogue, leaving listeners and critics alike enthralled by its vivid, heartfelt resonance.
Hindemith: Sonata for Solo Viola, Op. 25, No. 1 (Gérard Caussé, viola)
Enchanting Embrace
Gérard Caussé
Gérard Caussé’s performance of Rebecca Clarke’s Viola Sonata is a mesmerizing blend of passion and precision, breathing vibrant life into this early 20th-century masterpiece. Caussé navigates the sonata’s lush romanticism and impressionistic hues with effortless grace.
Critics have celebrated Caussé’s interpretation as a revelation, with The Strad commending his “radiant tone and intuitive phrasing that uncover the sonata’s kaleidoscopic emotional range.” BBC Music Magazine describes his performance as “a definitive account.”
Gérard Caussé’s masterful performances and recordings showcase his luminous tone and emotional depth, earning acclaim from critics like Gramophone and The Strad. His legacy as a violist and educator continues to elevate the instrument, inspiring audiences and redefining its place in classical music.
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