School of Rock
Random article All articles A–Z
2 languages

Pygmalion

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Pygmalion is a music ensemble that Raphaël Pichon founded in 2006 while studying at the Conservatoire de Paris. It consists of a choir and an instrumental ensemble and specialises in baroque music, played on authentic instruments of the period. In 2026 it performed at the Adelaide Festival, with three concerts, the group's first performances in Australia.

Music and breakthrough

At first Pygmalion recorded for Alpha, a French label for early music. Since 2014 the recordings have been released on Harmonia Mundi. Besides French repertoire the ensemble has released well-known performances of Johann Sebastian Bach. The series began at Alpha with the missae breves, BWV 233 to 236, the first part of which received a Diapason d'Or in 2008. In 2012 the h-Moll-Messe (Mass in B minor), BWV 232, appeared. On Harmonia Mundi there followed in 2014 the Köthener Trauermusik, BWV 244a, a lost cantata by Bach, in 2020 six motets, BWV 225 to 230, which received an Opus Klassik, and in 2022 the Matthäus-Passion.

Influence

Pygmalion belongs to the generation of ensembles that perform early music in a historically informed way. Because choir and orchestra belong together, the ensemble can match the sound of voices and instruments to each other.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to the beginning of Bach's Mass in B minor by Pygmalion and notice how choir and orchestra complement each other. Try to hear how the authentic instruments sound compared with a modern orchestra.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

Categories: Artists