Julien Martineau is one of the few mandolinists in Europe to have a career as a concert performer.
After studying music at the conservatories of Argenteuil and Rueil-Malmaison, Julien Martineau began performing at the Paris Opera at the age of 16, as well as with pianist Alexandre Tharaud in a number of private concerts. While pursuing musicology studies at the Sorbonne and the Paris Conservatory (CNSM), he has continuously refined the craftsmanship of his instrument, working alongside luthiers.
His musical qualities, far removed from the clichés associated with the mandolin, have made him a musician highly regarded by renowned collaborators. With Bertrand Chamayou, he has developed a program of sonatas for mandolin and piano spanning from the 18th century to the present day; he has collaborated with Jean-François Zygelon the France2program*LaBoîte à Musique*, performing, among other works, Beethoven’s pieces for mandolin and piano. He accompanies singers such as Natalie Dessay, Thomas Hampson, Ludovic Tézier, Florian Sempey, and Laurent Naoury. He has had the opportunity to premiere contemporary works, such as Karol Beffa’s mandolin concerto (2016, Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse).
He performs at prestigious venues: the Théâtre du Châtelet, the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, and the Sorbonne in Paris; the Grand Théâtre d’Aix-en-Provence; the Halle aux Grains in Toulouse; Victoria Hall and the Grand Théâtre in Geneva; the Besançon Franche-Comté International Music Festival; and Music Atlantico in the Azores.
Julien Martineau has been a professor at the Toulouse Conservatory since 2005.