What is the best thing that I love about my work? Sharing. With music, you can share with such a deep intensity. You share with your musical collaborators, of course, but also the people who are listening to you, the people you are teaching, and in a way which is more subtle, but also more efficient. Sharing without words pushes away the world’s borders; you become able to express things that you could not with words.

What is my idea of happiness? Balance. It’s a balance which has to be readjusted at every moment, between big moments of irrepressible joy, quietness, and even some dark place in which I’m able to find stability (in a way to not want « more » always).

What is my greatest fear? Suffering (in a broad way : causing suffering to others, to myself, to any living being, to mother-earth)

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? Wearing glasses. I wish I had good eyes, so that I wouldn’t need this glass separation between the world and me.

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire? Too many people – I can’t answer, the list would be too long.

What is my greatest extravagance? I only eat organic foods, and I avoid planes, even when it is more expensive and takes longer.

On what occasion would I lie? When I’m teaching. Sometimes it helps to not say everything.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? All the fast travel, and the pollution which such a life generates – I ‘ve been exploring new possibilies for how to be a ecologically-minded musician.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? I’m always happy with my work in general, but there are 2 specific events that have been very special to my heart :

• Bach / Buxtehude, Les Timbres (France – 2017) : the best music, in a project which reached
  our « normal » audience along with kids who had never heard music like this before
• Gawain & the Green Knight (NYC – 2019) : a new opera by Doug Balliett, the spirit of
  creation inspired the whole team
  And of course when I’m teaching, especially when a « click » happens with the student.

If I could, what would I change about myself? I would be happy to be a bit less empathetic, to be more decisive for myself, and less based on what others are feeling (but I also have to say that’s very nice also to be able te reach people so easily that way).

What is my greatest achievement in work? The happiness of all my students ; our trio Les Timbres ; my duo with Mathilde Vialle ; and my upcoming recording of the complete works of Forqueray.

Where would I most like to live? In the forest in the mountains.

What is my most treasured possession? The trust of my friends.

What is my most marked characteristic? I do what I say. And I like to find a way to get along with everyone.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city? Montfaucon Castle.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city? At home.

What books influenced my life and how? Harry Potter, by trusting myself more, especially the nerdy parts ; Le Capitaine Fracasse and The Lord of the Rings, for the great story telling ;
The End of the Megamachine (Scheidler), and The Story of Work (Suzman), to better understand the world we are leaving in. De Cape et de Crocs et le Magasin Général, for love and open mind.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? The song of the birds and the river.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? Jesus.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? Jacqueline Dupré.

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime? Nous irons à Paris.

What role play stories in my life and work? A big role. They are the inspiration you are surfing on. They are the dream you are pursuing. Sometimes they become real. Sometimes not.

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me? Hmm… not sure – I’m following my life like I would follow a river : you can choose to take the left coast, or the right, or even to go a bit by foot. But the river is there, as my destiny. I’m the storyteller of my destiny, but not of my life, which I’m following.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? Lucile Boulanger, Mathilde Vialle, Yoko Kawakubo, Aline Blondiau, Anna Besson, Julien Wolfs, Pau Marcos Vicens, Marc Mauillon, Julien Léonard. CNSMD of Lyon. Les Arts Florissants – William Christie and Paul Agnew. A Nocte Temporis – Reinoud Van Mechelen. Label Château de Versailles Spectacles – Laurent Brunner.
Laber Flora – Philippe Pierlot.

Which people or companies would I like to work with?
Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron.
JK Rowling.
Sir Paul McCartney.
Sir Simon Rattle.
Emma Watson.
Jean-Pierre Goux.
John Williams.

What project am I looking forward to work on?
The release of my latest CD – the complete works of Forqueray.
The release of a CD with Les Timbres – 6 trios 1718 TELEMANN (with Harmonia Lenis).
A solo show about a wounded woman / mother earth.
A project about Germaine Tailleferre’s music.
A interdisciplinary project about the joy of the “little” jobs.

Where can you see me or my work?
In Besançon, Lyon, Paris, or in Europa, USA and Japan. Or at home at my place – come and
visit me !
On line here :
VIOLA DA GAMBA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ucb5sKHzWk
Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe: Chaconne en ré | Les Arts Florissants
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhNfVIiBCH8
BACH, 6 Suites | Double CD – Label Château de Versailles Spectacles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt2YsIw8Ae8
Suites à deux violes esgales | CD – Label Château de Versailles Spectacles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjO6XWCXuZc
LES TIMBRES – TEASER enregistrement – François Couperin (1668-1733) Concerts Royaux
(1722)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTVJ3NoeEsc
SHAKESPEARE’S MUSIC • “What is Life?” • Les Timbres & Harmonia Lenis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ga_k8AMMJmU
Pièces du Temps en Concerts – intégrale des 13 épisodes
https://youtu.be/rL5LNDtQs7c

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? Very clear. I’m wondering sometimes : am I working all the time, or am I… never working, but just having fun all the time?

Which creative professionals should Peter invite to tell their story?

• Aline Blondiau
• Claire Berget
• Lila Tamazit
• Szuhwa Wu
• Annie Ploquin Rignol
• Céline Barbarin
• Nino Laisné
• Emiliano Gonzalez
• Emmanuel Ménard
• Götz Teutsch

How can you contact me?
Through the contact form on the Les Timbres website :
https://les-timbres.com/contact/nous-contacter/