Paul Meyer is one of the world's best-known clarinettists. Born in Mühlhausen in Alsace in 1965, he is now also active as a conductor and teacher. In addition to the classical-romantic repertoire, he is a strong advocate of contemporary music: Many works have been composed for him, including by Penderecki, Berio and Jarrell. For the centenary celebration of the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, the world premiere of a clarinet concerto by Peter Eötvös was scheduled in 2018.

Paul Meyer’s regular chamber music partner is the pianist Eric Le Sage. Together with him and Emmanuel Pahud, he founded not only the ensemble Les Vents Française, but also the festival Musique à l'Empéri.

Meyer studied at the Paris Conservatoire and the Basel Musikhochschule. He began his career in 1983 as principal clarinetist with the Orchestra de l’Opéra de Lyon, the Ensemble Intercontemporain and the Paris Opera. But he soon devoted himself entirely to his work as a soloist. At the same time, he studied conducting with John Carewe. Since then, he has performed in both capacities at all the major venues.