Recognised for his celebrated interpretations as soloist, his extensive exploration of chamber music with some of the finest musicians today, and a dedication to widening the cello literature, Marc Coppey is considered one of the world’s leading cellists – in addition, now with a growing reputation as a fine conductor on the international podium.
A protégé of Lord Yehudi Menuhin and Mstislav Rostropovich, Coppey first shot to international acclaim at the age of 18, winning First Prize and ‘Special Prize for the Best Bach Performance’ at the prestigious Leipzig Bach Competition (1988). Soon thereafter, he made major debuts in Paris and Moscow in collaboration with Yehudi Menuhin and Victoria Postnikova (captured on film by the celebrated director Bruno Monsaingeon), and performed at the Evian Festival by personal invitation of MstislavRostropovich. Since then, Coppey has carved out an impressive solo career to date, working regularly with many of the world’s finest orchestras and conductors – including, amongst others, Alain Altinoglu, Lionel Bringuier, Lawrence Foster, Alan Gilbert, Kirill Karabits, Emmanuel Krivine, John Nelson, Pascal Rophé, Yan Pascal Tortelier, Yutaka Sado, and Hugh Wolff.
Recent and forthcoming highlights include performing as soloist with such orchestras as the Dortmunder Philharmoniker, Kansai/Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra, Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio- France, Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg, Orquestra Sinfónica do Porto de Casa da Música, Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra (NOSPR), and the Sichuan Symphony Orchestra of China. As conductor, Coppey has performed recently with the Deutsche Kammerakademie, Strasbourg Philharmonic, Nice Philharmonic, Prague Philharmonia, Irish Chamber Orchestra, amongst other leading ensembles, and serves as Music Director of the Zagreb Soloists.
Coppey is a much acclaimed recording artist, working exclusively with the Audite classics label. In 2024, he released a recording of the complete works for cello and piano by Gabriel Fauré, with celebrated pianist François Dumont. 2021 saw the release of Shostakovich: Cello Concertos (with Polish Radio Symphony/Lawrence Foster), whilst 2022 saw the release of Kodály: Music for Solo Cello, and The French Cello (Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg/John Nelson). All four albums received exceptional reviews, universally placing Coppey on a par with the greatest cellists in history.
Passionate about inspiring future generations of musicians, Coppey is a Professor at the Conservatore National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, and is regularly invited to give masterclasses across Europe, Asia, and both North & South America. Since October 2020, he is the Artistic Director of the Saline Royale Academy : a state-of-the-art new music education facility in France.
Marc Coppey is also a passionate chamber musician, and former member of the Ysaÿe Quartet (1995-2000). He now serves as Artistic Director of the annual Easter Festival in Colmar.
Marc Coppey performs on a rare cello by Matteo Goffriller (Venice, 1711) and resides in Paris.
