Alain Damiens

Alain Damiens, who was born in 1950 in Calais, received his diploma in clarinet and chamber music at the Paris Conservatoire. After beginning his career as part of the Ensemble Pupitre 14 and as principal clarinetist with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg, in 1976 he was asked to join the Ensemble intercontemporain, which Pierre Boulez founded, and he remains a member of the group. In this context he has performed in the world premieres of numerous works, especially Dialogue de l’Ombre double (1985) by Boulez, which he has also recorded under the composer’s direction, and the Clarinet Concerto (1997) by Elliott Carter, which is dedicated to him. Damiens has frequently collaborated with Maurizio Pollini, for example in his “Progetto Pollini” concerts, in a repertoire from Beethoven to Stockhausen. Damiens, who plays an instrument made by Buffet-Crampon, is a professor in Paris and gives master classes around the world.

August 2011