While François Leleux’s preeminence as an oboist has long been recognised internationally, over the last twenty years he has in parallel developed a significant reputation as conductor. He is regularly invited to the world’s foremost concert platforms, both with and without oboe in hand, in repertoire ranging from baroque to newly commissioned works.

As a conductor Leleux has already been invited by orchestras such as Bamberger Symphoniker, Sydney Symphony, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic and Budapest Festival orchestras and WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln; and the 2015/16 season reflects every aspect of his performing life – including concerto performances with the BBC Scottish and NHK symphony orchestras, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. As conductor and soloist he returns to Camerata Salzburg, Norwegian Radio Orchestra and Orchestre de chambre de Paris. 

Further ahead, projects include a residency with hr-Sinfonieorchester, invitations from Tonkünstler-Orchester Niederösterreich and Bamberger Symphoniker, and tours with Les Vents Français to Salzburg, Istanbul, Zürich, Brussels and Paris.

Committed to expanding the oboe’s repertoire, Leleux has had many new works commissioned for him by composers such as Nicolas Bacri, Giya Kancheli and Michael Jarrell. During 2014/15 he, together with Lisa Batiashvili, gave world premiere performances with NDR Sinfonieorchester Hamburg and the New York Philharmonic, of Thierry Escaich’s Concerto for violin and oboe.  

Leleux has released several CDs on Sony Classical, including works by J.S.Bach with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and Mozart with Camerata Salzburg, as well as Strauss’s Oboe Concerto with Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra under Daniel Harding. His latest release is a disc of works by Hummel and Haydn, recorded with Münchener Kammerorchester.

“…there were certainly wonders in François Leleux’ account with the CBSO of the autumnal, delicious Oboe Concerto by Richard Strauss. His phrasing was mellifluous, and as open-air as the composer’s beloved Bavarian Alps; interchanges with orchestral soloists were sparkling and well dovetailed;…flourishes danced as though from panpipes, and he painted piquant shades of colour.” (Birmingham Post, November 2014)

“The terrific French oboist Francois Leleux was artist in residence at this year’s Lammermuir Festival, and he used the opportunity to explore repertoire from Bach to Berio. He is a fearless, flawless player (during this recital he breezily turned pages with one hand while playing with the other). His sound is plush and enormous. It would be a treat to hear him in just about any music.” (The Herald, Scotland, October 2014