10th Contest 1988 – Isabelle Moretti, France

Her recent recordings for NAIVE, Joaquin Rodrigo’s Harp Concertos and Ginastera’s Harp Concertos (Grand Prix Charles Cros 2001) attest to both Isabelle Moretti’s musical talent and to her technical talent within the school of the traditional French harp in which she is the most dynamic ambassador. Her style can be described as one of freshness, character and nobility, which is easily recognizable among her colleagues.

Laureate of international competitions in Geneva, Munich, and Israel where she obtained the highest award in 1988, Isabelle Moretti has been invited to perform worldwide at the most prestigious venues and festivals, such as the Alice Tully Hall in New York, Maison de Radio-France in Paris, Evian International Music Festival, Wigmore Hall in London and Soka International Festival in Japan. She is a soloist with the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischer Rundfunks, Orchestre National de Bordeaux-Aquitaine, Orchestre National de Lyon, Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie in Bremen, Ensemble Orchestral de Paris, Israel Symphony Orchestra, Israel Chamber Orchestra, SWR Sinfonieorchester, Orquesta de Córdoba, Orquesta Sinfónica de la RTVE, Orchestre de la Suisse-Romande, Varsovia National Philharmonie, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and will soon be touring with the Zagreb Soloists.

Her solo repertoire encompasses XVIIIth century first sonatas for pedal harp to the more complex contemporary scores, which she regularly premieres in her recitals, such as works by Michèle Reverdy and FranÇoise Choveaux. Her regular chamber music partners include flutist Philippe Bernold, violinist Gérard Poulet, violist Gérard Caussé, cellist Henri Demarquette, oboist FranÇois Leleux, and the Lindsay, Parisii, Manfred, Ysae and Psophos string quartets.

Isabelle Moretti has recorded a total of nine CDs to great critical acclaim; the Musique de Chambre pour Harpe featuring Ravel’s septet, Caplet The Mask of the Red Death (after the famous Poe’s novel) and Jean Cras’ quintet was awarded Choc by Le Monde de la Musique, a Dix by Repertoire as well as the Grand Prize of the Nouvelle Academie du Disque.

Since 1995, Isabelle Moretti has been Professor of Harp at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris, where she graduated with a First Prize.

In 2005-2006, Isabelle Moretti is invited to Sardaigne, Germany, London, Cardiff, Compiègne (Thèatre Impèrial), Quèbec, Nancy (Salle Poirel), Rennes, Saint-Malè, Polish, Paris, Maison Laffitte, Auvers-sur-Oise…
Next autumn will see the release of Philippe Hesant’s CDs with the label Triton for which she recorded Choral for harp and cello with Henri Demarquette.