William Dongois
Born in Langres in Champagne-Ardenne William Dongois studied trumpet in Rheims and in Paris. He taught the instrument parallel to orchestral activity both at the Academy and at the Grand Théâtre in Rheims. Member of the copper quintet of Champagne Ardenne he took part to numerous concerts and discovered with passion the musical repertoire of the XVIe and XVIIe centuries. At the same time, he deepened his knowledge of musical language in the class of Olivier Trachier. He mastered his diplomas in harmony, “fugue” and counterpoint, this combined with his skill of trumpet and his love for the early repertoire naturally led him to master the cornetto à bouquin, for which he received instruction from Jean-Pierre Canihac and Jordi Savall for music Ensemble.
William Dongois abandonned trumpet and decided to dedicate himself to the music of the XVIe to the XVIIIe centuries, without neglecting middle-aged repertoire through diverse training courses on Gregorian and middle-aged counterpoint. He pursued his education at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis with Bruce Dickey until 1992. From that period onwards, he has played and recorded with numerous Ensembles: Hespérion XX, Les Sacqueboutiers de Toulouse, le Concerto Palatino, Tragicomedia, Taverner's Players, Gabrieli's Players, Elyma, Musica Fiata, and under the direction of Michel Corboz, Joshua Rifkin and Philippe Herreweghe.
William Dongois has played with the Ensemble la Fenice from its creation until 1993, with whom he won first prize in competitions at Bruges (1991) and Malmö (1992). He is regularly asked to play with René Jacobs and other Ensembles like le Weser Renaissance Bremen, La Capella Ducale Venezia, Musica Fiorita of Basel and Le Poème Harmonique. He is also invited by the Ensembles Anthonello of Tokyo and Les Boréades of Montréal. William Dongois directs two Ensembles of improvised music – Night Watch – « musique Renaissance » for winds, and the Broken Quartet with the harpsichord Freddy Eichelberger and two jazzmen: the saxophonist Pierre-Marie Bonafos and the bassist Jean-Luc Fillon.
Owning a diploma of teaching and a Certificate of Competence
for ancient instruments, William
Dongois
teaches cornetto and improvisation throughout numerous training courses
and master classes for different institutions in France, music high
schools in Germany and as well as in Austria. Since 2002 he has been
holder professor of the cornetto class of the Ancient Music Centre of
Geneva.
Press Reviews
«
… the delectable fickleness of William Dongois , master of cornet à
bouquin for the virtuoso figurations and of the mute cornetto for the
inner dream ».
Roger Tellart,
Diapason
Roger Tellart, Diapason
« … nobody will ever say enough how much William Dongois is a master among the masters of the cornetto. He manages difficulties with such flexibility that makes all of us breathless. »
Anne Piéjus, Le Monde de la Musique
« William Dongois transports the audience to the XVIIe century in a resplendent manner. Breathless music. He is without a doubt among the best virtuosos of this instrument. »
Fono Forum
« William Dongois has developed a unique playing style. His effortless acute register is nearer to the one of the flute than most of the cornetto players, and his phrase demonstrates his personal style. »
HBS Newsletter, New York
Photo : Klaus L. Neuman
© Le Concert Brisé - 2008
Texte édité par: William Dongois -
Administration: Françoise Burri - Mise en Pages: Thierry Buclin