Born in Paris, originally from Ariège, his parents were not musicians at all. Michel Piquemal wanted to play the piano and it was a teacher from the city of Paris, Françoise Deslogères, who spoke to his parents about it and, thanks to her, he began to study the piano. Then he entered the Boulogne Conservatory [fr] to do music theory with her as well. When it was necessary to go through 6th class, she was still the one who convinced his parents that he could enter the "Maîtrise de l'ORTF", the already very famous maîtrise. He applied and went in.
Michel Piquemal therefore began his singing studies at the "Maîtrise of the ORTF", which has now become the Maîtrise de Radio France. It is in this lineage that he continued his training with Pierre Bernac (baritone and favourite interpreter of Francis Poulenc), and Denise Duval (a fetish interpreter, qualified as a double-female by Francis Poulenc) for the French melody and finally, at the Mozarteum in Salzburg for the interpretation of the Lied.
In 1987, Michel Piquemal was entrusted with the direction of the Vittoria Choir and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Regional Choir. Musical director of the Grand Choir of the abbey at Dames de Saintes, he is the director of the International Academy and choirs and orchestra of the Festival of the Sylvanes Abbey [fr].
At the head of his vocal ensemble, Michel Piquemal won in 1996 the third Victoires de la musique classique with the recording devoted to the integral of the sacred music by Maurice Duruflé, published at Naxos Records.[4] A first Victoire de la musique classique followed by a second, this time with the Vittoria Choir, in 1998, for his recording of "David" by Arthur Honegger, released by Naxos again, and for all his achievements. Recognized by his peers, he is always keen to pass on his passion for music and to give new artists the chance to work with him.[5]
Piquemal has always sought to discover or rediscover works from the repertoire of forgotten classical music such as the music of Martial Caillebotte, brother of the impressionist painter Gustave Caillebotte, which he himself recorded in the form of two albums, including the Messe solennelle de Pâques, widely acclaimed by critics and for his work as a musician.[6] Indeed, the latter received several awards, among others, the 4 F of Télérama and the 4 # of the Diapason magazine, under the label of the Éditions Hortus.[7] His last Opus is the MisaTango called "Messe à Buenos Aires" by Martin Palmeri.
In parallel to his activities with his choirs and vocal ensemble, Michel Piquemal conducts singing courses, masterclasses or festivals, in order to continue to transmit to an amateur or professional audience, his knowledge of the Direction and Choral Chant, such as the Academy internship at the Music Festival of the Sylvanes Abbey.
Le Requiem perdu de Henri Tomasi, by Jacques Sapiéga (2001), documentary on the recording of the Requiem pour la Paix by Michel Piquemal, with the Orchestre philharmonique de Marseille, the Chœur Régional PACA and the Chœur départemental des Alpes maritimes.
The Misa Tango by Martín Palmeri (2016), documentary on the recording of the Misa Tango by Michel Piquemal with the Pasdeloup Orchestra, and the Vittoria Choir.[13]
