Born in Switzerland in 1958, flutist Philippe Racine studied music in Basel and Paris. He has established a reputation as a brilliant and innovative flutist among music lovers of the traditional classical repertoire, and is also an intense and dynamic advocate of contemporary music. He has also dedicated himself to improvised music, pop and Jazz-Rock with much success.
Philippe Racine performs as a soloist and chamber musician throughout Europe, Canada, North and Latin America and the Middle East. Let us name some of his musical partners: Ernesto Molinari, Brigitte Meyer, Jürg Wyttenbach, Heinz Holliger, Thomas Demenga, Éric Ferrand-N’Kaoua, Daniel Cholette, Bruno Canino, Raphaël Oleg and many others. He recorded extensively with the English Chamber Orchestra and as a soloist he played with many Swiss, European and Latin-American orchestras. A sizable discography testifies to his great versatility and exceptional talent.
Racine is now more and more acknowledged as a composer. Famous musicians play his music in renowned places. Let us just mention the Lucerne Festival, where his violin concerto “Promenade” for violin and ensemble was premiered with big success by violinist Raphaël Oleg and the Ensemble Phoenix Basel conducted by Jürg Henneberger in September 2001. Racine’s music is an expression of a great liberty in form and language. He has written chamber music, vocal and choral works as well as symphonic pieces (with and without soloists).
Philippe Racine is also a highly estimated and sought after pedagogue. Since 1993 he has been teaching the flute at the renowned ZHdK (Zurich University Of The Arts). Many of his students have won important competitions and positions in good orchestras and ensembles.

© photo Irène Zandel