Arnaud Thorette was a pupil of Tasso Adamopoulos at the Higher National Academy of Lyon where he was awarded unanimously by the jury, obtaining the Higher National Diploma of Musical Studies with the congratulations of the jury as well as the first prizes of improvement in viola and chamber music. Prize-winner in several international competitions in Genes (1st prize), Nuremberg (3rd prize) and Paris (1st prize), he received the Prize of the Ravel Academy and the International Forum of Normandy as well as the support of the Musical Patronage General Company, Sagem Foundation and the French Association of Artistic Action.
He has performed with many prestigious partners, including Augustin Dumay, Joseph Silverstein, Emmanuelle Bertrand, Vladimir Mendelssohn, Yvan Chiffoleau, Michel Strauss and the Ebène Quartet. In 1999 he formed a duet with the pianist Johan Farjot, with whom he is devoted to the repertory for viola and piano. He is invited regularly to perform on French television and radio and travels to many countries, in particular Russia, Poland, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Switzerland, and France.
Impassioned by contemporary creation, he directs a collection for the viola within the Delatour Editions and collaborates with very many French composers such as Nicolas Bacri, Guillaume Connesson, Gilbert Amy, Philippe Hersant, Tristan Murail, Bruno Letort, Edith Canat-de-Chisy and Karol Beffa who dedicate some of their works for viola to him. He is also a member of Contrasting Ensemble. He took part in the recording of the music of the film Romeo and Juliette from Karol Beffa for Arte and recorded a disc of sonatas devoted to Bacri, Schumann, Piazzolla and Gardel. He will soon record several discs at Universal Music devoted to French contemporary music for viola, works for viola by Schumann and concertos and pieces for viola by Bruch with the National Orchestra of Minsk and also concerto and pieces for viola by Philippe Hersant at Triton. He is the creator of the theatrical spectacle Clara and Robert Schumann - art to like. The press underlines his “passion” and his “virtuosity” like “an art of very high artistic level and a very remarkable personal engagement”.
