Dates

• Existence: 1948-

Biographical History

Catherine Michel (born 1948) is a prominent French harpist.

Catherine Michel (Marie Céleste Elvire) was born in Amiens, France, on June 25, 1948. A student of Pierre Jamet, she entered his Paris Conservatoire harp class at the age of 13, obtaining a premier prix in 1964. She won a second prix at the Israel contest (1970) and a gold medal at the Marcel Tournier competition (1971), and was solo harpist of the Orchestre National de France from 1970 to 1977. In 1978 she was appointed solo harpist at the Paris Opéra. Strongly committed to pedagogy, she has taught at academic institutions in Hamburg (1977–80), Detmold (1996–2000) and Zürich (from 1999), as well as at the Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris (from 1981). Michel is a visiting professor at the Royal College of Music (RCM) and has published an important bibliography of harp music. Her significant recording career has been boosted by the popular success of her prizewinning 1995 collaboration with Michel Legrand on the CD Musique et Cinéma.

Citation:

Oxford Music Online website, viewed Jul. 5, 2011 (Catherine Michel; Marie Céleste Elvire; born in Amiens, France, June 25, 1948; French harpist; student of Pierre Jamet; entered his Paris Conservatoire harp class aged 13; premier prix, 1964; second prix at the Israel contest, 1970; gold medal, Marcel Tournier competition, 1971; solo harpist of the Orchestre National de France, 1970-1977; solo harpist at the Paris Opéra, 1978; committed to pedagogy; taught at academic institutions in Hamburg, (1977–80), Detmold (1996–2000), and Zürich (from 1999), Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris (from 1981); visiting professor at the RCM; published bibliography of harp music; recording career boosted by success of 1995 collaboration with Michel Legrand on the CD Musique et Cinéma)

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