The French harpsichordist and organist, Sébastien Wonner, studied harpsichord and basso continuo with Aline Zylberajch and Martin Gester at the Conservatoire de Strasbourg. He studied the organ with André Stricker and Christophe Mantoux. His interest in improvisation led him to receive advice and work with Freddy Eichelberger. He also benefited from the lessons of Pierre Hantaï.
Sébastien Wonner's taste has led him frequently to 17th century music and vocal music with ensembles such as La Chapelle Rhénane (Director: Benoît Haller), Consonance, Doulce Mémoire, La Rêveuse, Les Witches, Akadêmia Ensemble (Director: Françoise Lasserre) or Les Sacqueboutiers, with whom he has recorded several discs (Symphoniae Sacrae, Magnificat d'Uppsala, Musikalische Exequien by Heinrich Schütz; Motets by Samuel Capricornus; Membra Jesu Nostri, Sonatas by Dietrich Buxtehude; Johannes-Passion BWV 245 by J.S. Bach; The Messiah by George Frideric Handel; Le Manuscrit by Suzanne van Soldt, La Morte d’Orfeo by Stefano Landi on the K617, Alpha, Zig-Zag Territoire (Outhere), Mirare, Ricercar labels. An album devoted to the solo harpsichord music by Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck has recently received critical acclaim. As a soloist or chamber musician, he seeks above all a diversity of experiences on all kinds of instruments (historical organs, clavichords, etc.) including in less frequented repertoires or in improvisation.
Sébastien Wonner's travels have taken him to play in South America, Japan and many European countries, but it is in Tours that he passionately teaches the harpsichord in the Department of Early Music of the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional. |