Wouter Dekoninck

Wouter Dekoninck regularly appears on international stages as organist, harpsichordist and improviser, including in performances of his own transcriptions for organ. He studied organ and harpsichord at the Lemmens Institute in Leuven and earned a specialised diploma with highest honours. He is the head organist of the beautiful historical Penceler Organ (1714) of St. Gertrude’s Church in Leuven. With his transcriptions based chiefly on keyboard and orchestral literature, he has created a unique and widely acclaimed repertoire for solo organ, (baroque) orchestra, singers and chamber music ensembles among other settings. Masterfully inspired from a thorough study of the compositional style of the original composer, his new works delight both musicians and public alike with their challenging, unknown, refreshing and fascinating nature.

He is the founder and artistic director of the Hildebrandt Consort that specialises in the interpretation of his transcriptions in styles that run the gamut from the renaissance to the baroque and romantic periods and created both the Bach in Leuven concert series and the International St. Gertrude’s Organ Festival. His successful projects with the Hildebrandt Consort include: [Bach]2 The Art of Transcription, Spirit of Handel, Tea with Mendelssohn & Coffee with Schumann and the Grosse Messe 1739 für Bach und Luther. Dekoninck has also created the “Bach in Leuven” concert series where he performs the passions, cantatas and instrumental works of Bach with his ensemble, and he is the driving force of the “International St. Gertrude’s Organ Festival”. Wouter Dekoninck furthermore brings his artistry to various other ensembles such as the Utopia Ensemble, and has formed a close chamber music collaboration with the violinist, Madoka Nakamaru.

He teaches organ and harpsichord at the Servais Music Academy in Halle, the Saint- Agatha Berchem Music Academy and the Peter Benoit Music Academy in Lennik.