“Jacot is that rare combination of flutist who plays with copious virtuosity and with a tender, natural musicality that can make you cry” (Nov. 1 2016 The Flute View Barbara Siesel) 

 

Evidently Sébastian is not simply moving his audience to tears, he's presently evoking a myriad of emotions as the First Principal Flute of the Gewandhaus Orchestra. A unique artist of his genre, he was described as “a flute rock star” after gaining this acclaimed role. 

Sebastian's reached this prestigious position after affirming himself as one of the most brilliant flutists of his generation. As well as enjoying a solo career, he's won first prizes in the most highly regarded flute competitions across the world: Kobe International Flute Competition 2013, Carl Nielsen International Flute Competition 2014, Munich ARD Music Competition 2015. 

 

Let's focus on the key moments of this multi-faceted performer's professional life. You'll enjoy meeting him. 

 

After winning competitions, Sébastian began developing his career performing as a soloist with the following orchestras: Bayerische Rundfunk Symphony Orchestra, Munich Chamber Orchestra, Georgian Chamber Orchestra Ingolstadt, Orchestre de Chambre de Genève, Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra, Thai Philharmonic Orchestra, Kobe City Chamber Orchestra, Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Mannheim, Gstaad Menuhin Academy Orchestra, Osnabruck Theater Orchestra. 

 

As an orchestral member he started in 2006 winning the position of assistant principal flute at the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, when he was just 19, and in 2008 at the invitation of Maestro Seiji Ozawa he joined the Saito Kinen Festival Orchestra as principal flute. 

After returning to Europe he deepened his knowledge of contemporary music, playing with the Ensemble Contrechamps, and began to freelance for other renown orchestras. 

 

As a freelance he's worked as principal flute for the Berliner Philarmoniker Orchestra, Orchestre Mozart (C.Abbado, B.Haitink) Mahler Chamber Orchestra (M.Honeck) Munich Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia (S.Denève) Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra (D.Harding) Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, Berlin Konzerthaus Orchestra, NDR Elbphilarmonie Orchestra. More recently Sebastian has played with the Mito Chamber Orchestra (S.Ozawa) and has toured with the Budapest Festival Orchestra (I.Fischer). 

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His orchestral work has taken him to venues across the world: Carnegie Hall, Musikverein, Suntory Hall, KKL Luzern, Concertgebouw, Royal Albert Hall for the BBC Proms, Philharmonie de Paris and many others. 

Sébastian has always loved to be part of an orchestra, which he sees as a vital part of his professional growth, enjoying the opportunities of working with conductors of excellence such as: Andris Nelsons, Riccardo Chailly, Fabio Luisi, Herbert Bloomstedt, Semyon Bychkov, Simon Rattle, Heinz Holliger, Marin Alsop, Michael Tilson Thomas. 

 

Apart from his orchestral experience Sébastian regularly gives solo recitals for important festivals (Rheingau Musik Festival, Wartburg Festival) and explores a wide range of chamber music repertoire together with other artists. 

He has appeared with recital partners such as Agnès Clément, Philippe Tondre, Lucas Buclin and Jean-Yves Thibaudet in the following venues: Zurich Tonhalle, Giovanni Agnelli Auditorium-Lingotto, Taipei National Theater, Tokyo Kioi Hall. 

 

A significant part of his life is dedicated to teaching and holding Masterclasses, enthusiastically passing on professional and personal skills with passion and instinct. 

 

He's often called to be a Jury member for various competitions including: Cluj International Music Competition, Singapore Flute Festival and Conservatoire de Genève. 

 

Studio and live recordings of Sebastian's work have been widely appreciated. 

 

“Sébastian Jacot is simply amazing. His first of what I expect to be of many"