François Leleux.

François Leleux is one of today’s most renowned oboists, in addition to being a conductor and professor. He was born in Croix, in the Nord department of France, in July 1971. François Leleux is a key figure for the 21st-century oboe: a virtuoso committed to innovation, an artist with vision both as performer and conductor, and a mentor who shares his musical world with new generations.

Musical education.

Leleux began studying the oboe at an early age at the Conservatoire of Roubaix. At the age of 14, he entered the Conservatoire de Paris (CNSMDP), where he studied with masters such as Pierre Pierlot and Maurice Bourgue. In both the oboe and chamber music classes, he graduated with first prizes awarded unanimously.

At just 18 years old, Leleux was appointed Principal Oboe of the Opéra National de Paris (Bastille). He later served as solo oboist of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. In 2003, he became “Principal Oboe” of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe (COE).

Instruments and brands.

In the interview we published on May 22, 2020, which you can read here, he said:
“I play a Marigaux M2, and I like it very much. I developed this instrument together with Marigaux and Michel Croquenoy, who was one of my heroes. The M2 oboe has an amazing homogeneity and very good intonation, which is so important for achieving a beautiful sound.”

Professional career.

Since his early years as a soloist, Leleux’s career has developed rapidly:

He has performed as a soloist with top-level orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Budapest Festival Orchestra, as well as the Swedish Radio Symphony and NHK Symphony Orchestra (Japan).
He also works as a play-conductor, combining his role as oboe soloist with conducting.
Leleux has been “Artistic Partner” of the Camerata Salzburg and has held artistic or residency positions with various orchestras, such as the Orchestre de Chambre de Paris, Strasbourg Philharmonic, and hr-Sinfonieorchester.
In recent seasons, he has taken on projects both as conductor and soloist. For example, in the 2024/25 season he has conducting engagements with the Deutsche Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Swedish Chamber Orchestra, Hungarian National Philharmonic, and Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
He has also held residencies with orchestras such as the Orchestra of Valencia, where he performs both as conductor and soloist.
François Leleux is a professor at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Munich.
In the 2025/26 season, he is expected to become the Artistic Director of the Kammerakademie Potsdam.
He frequently serves as a resident or associate artist with European orchestras, fostering cultural and educational exchange.

Contribution to the oboe repertoire.

François Leleux has made notable efforts to expand the contemporary oboe repertoire:

He has commissioned works from composers such as Nicolas Bacri, Michael Jarrell, Giya Kancheli, Thierry Pécou, Gilles Silvestrini, Eric Tanguy.
He premiered the oboe concerto Aquateinte by Michael Jarrell (2016/17).
He also commissioned and premiered Souen Wou K’ong, a work for oboe written for him (2021/22).
Leleux played a version for cor anglais of Debussy’s Rapsodie (originally for saxophone), arranged especially for him by Silvestrini.
Another significant premiere was the Double Concerto for Violin and Oboe by Thierry Escaich, performed with his wife, violinist Lisa Batiashvili, alongside the New York Philharmonic and NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra.

Notable recordings by François Leleux.

In my opinion, here’s a selection of the ones I listen to the most:

Strauss, Oboe Concerto: A landmark work for the oboe. Every serious oboist considers this a reference interpretation and a cornerstone of his repertoire.
Bienvenue en France, where he pays tribute to his country’s rich oboe tradition with works full of elegance, color, and sensitivity. It includes pieces by composers such as Saint-Saëns, Bozza, Dutilleux or Sancan.
Mozart, Werke für Oboe und Orchester: Mozart’s oboe concerto is the most essential work in the oboe repertoire. This recording is fundamental to any list of his most significant achievements. A record that surely every oboist has listened to. It also includes other very interesting Mozart works adapted for oboe.
Der Charme der Oboe (Le Charme du hautbois): With Italian oboe pieces. The value of this album lies in the fact that it is Leleux’s personal favorite and a tribute to one of his teachers Pierre Pierlot, giving it undeniable biographical and artistic weight. You can watch the interview with Leleux where he tells us about it here.
Future Horizons: This work represents his dedication to contemporary music, showing his commitment to the modern oboe and his collaboration with violinist Lisa Batiashvili, which received wide acclaim.

I’m leaving you this list of albums so you can listen to them and enjoy them whenever you want.

Frequently Asked Questions about François Leleux.

What characterizes Leleux’s interpretive style?
He combines technical virtuosity with expressive musicality, seeking clarity, flexibility, and a rich tonal palette. Reviews praise his energy, liveliness, and transparency.
When did his major professional career begin?
At 18, when he became Principal Oboe of the Opéra Bastille in Paris.
Which orchestras has he collaborated with as a soloist?
Among many: New York Philharmonic, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, Budapest Festival Orchestra, Swedish and Japanese (NHK) radio orchestras.
What are his contributions to the oboe repertoire?
He has commissioned and premiered contemporary works (Jarrell, Escaich, Pécou, Silvestrini) and adapted existing pieces for his instrument (such as the Debussy Rapsodie for cor anglais).
What is his role in music education?
He is an oboe professor in Munich, works in residencies, and inspires young musicians through performances and educational projects.