Oli Garde: A Multidisciplinary Journey in Music and Arts
Oli Garde thrives on building bridges between artistic disciplines, collaborating with actors, dancers, poets, and painters to create innovative and multidisciplinary programs. While his expertise and preferred repertoire focus on 18th-century French music, he also embraces a wide array of styles, from scholarly to popular traditions. His performances span everything from meticulously composed works to improvisations in classical and early popular styles.
Oli has appeared on stages ranging from world-renowned venues such as Tokyo Opera City, Sydney’s Verbrugghen Hall, and the Magdeburg Opera House, to more intimate spaces, where he treasures the closeness of audiences often more open to originality.
A true creative polymath, Oli Garde’s eclectic artistry and open-mindedness have shaped a multifaceted career. Beyond his life as a musician, he is also a movement specialist trained in physiotherapy and a seasoned administrator of artistic organizations, bringing the same dedication and creativity to every aspect of his professional journey.
An Artist Beyond Boundaries
Harpsichord virtuoso
Oli Garde discovered his passion for the harpsichord at the age of 7, while learning within the French public music education system. From his first encounter with the instrument, he quickly realized he was meant for it. By the age of 15, he spent more time at the harpsichord than preparing for school.
At just 18, Oli joined the prestigious Royal Conservatory of The Hague, followed by a master’s degree in Amsterdam, at a time when the Netherlands was regarded as a leading hub for professional Baroque music education. In 2007, he won Third Prize at the Telemann International Competition in Magdeburg, performing with the ensemble La Follia. During these formative years, He participated in projects directed by some of the most renowned names in early music, such as Koopman, Kuijken, and van Asperen. Yet even then, Oli was acutely aware that to truly thrive as an artist, he would need to break free from the conventions and rigid frameworks of institutional baroque music. This insight has shaped his approach ever since, infusing his work with originality and individuality.
Throughout his career, Oli has been invited to perform as a soloist, accompanist, and conductor of his ensemble, l'Asnée, at a range of prestigious and unique venues across the globe. From New York to Tokyo Opera City, the Sydney Conservatorium, the Opernhaus Magdeburg, and historic settings like the Prince’s Chamber at the Hôtel de Soubise in Paris, or Handel & Hendrix in London, his performances have captivated diverse audiences with their originality and refinement.
Bridging Disciplines and Styles
Since 2016, when he became the artistic director of France Baroque, Oli Garde has been exploring the connections between classical and popular arts. Through keyboards, writing, and improvisation, he builds bridges between disciplines while fostering collaborations with artists from diverse backgrounds.
In 2022, he composed the music and directed the musicians and actors for La Fête de Bélébat, a theatrical parody written by Voltaire. In a playful yet scholarly spirit, he interwove music from the 18th century and the 20th century, blending high and popular styles to create a fresh and dynamic work. In 2016, he conceived the innovative show Musique Biomécanique, where a classical ballet dancer and a contemporary jazz/hip-hop dancer performed together to movements inspired by Jean-Philippe Rameau’s music. In 2018, Oli turned to Japanese poetry for inspiration, creating a unique performance where wakas were read aloud to the music of François Couperin, blending Eastern and Western artistic traditions. This year, Oli takes his artistry even further by collaborating with street artist Bertrand Sordelet. Together, they present a performance where improvisations and compositions in 18th-century style are paired with live creations by the painter, uniting visual and musical expression in real time.
He has recorded three harpsichord albums: the 1724 Book by Jean-Philippe Rameau, the album "Les Six Cordes d'Apollon", blending Greek mythology with Baroque music, and most recently, the album "Clavecin au Clair de Lune", some of the most famous keyboard works by Mozart and Beethoven played on harpsichord.
From Motion to Emotion
Oli Garde's lifelong practice of the harpsichord, combined with his passion for martial arts, naturally led him to deepen his understanding of the human body and the science of movement. He is now an experienced physiotherapist, specializing in the motor skill development of musicians.
During his time in the Netherlands, Oli refined his approach to the body's energy through kung fu, achieving a high level of skill and certification as a 12th-grade Wing Chun instructor. Seeking a scientific foundation, he earned a degree in physiotherapy at Avans University of Applied Sciences in Breda, with the goal of improving instrumental technique through a deeper understanding of human motion.
His experiences in neurology and psychiatry departments further inspired him to explore extreme emotional and mental states. These encounters opened new creative dimensions, leading him to express the complexities of the human psyche through his music and artistic projects.
Since 2012, Oli has focused on addressing the physical and motor challenges faced by musicians. Combining his expertise as a harpsichordist and physiotherapist, he works to optimize technique, posture, and endurance, helping artists perform at their best while safeguarding their long-term well-being.
In short, Oli Garde is:
🎭 A cross-disciplinary artist creating unique connections between music, dance, poetry, theater, and visual arts.
🎶 An innovator in baroque music, blending traditional repertoire with improvisation and popular styles.
🧠 A specialist in physiology of musical performance, with a deep scientific understanding of motor skills and technique.
🎤 An engaging performer and communicator, bringing classical music to diverse and non-traditional audiences.
✨ A passionate sharer, offering performances, talks, and masterclasses for both professionals and newcomers alike.