PIERRE FONTENELLE

Dn Lian©️

SOLOIST & CELLO PROFESSOR

« No doubt, Pierre Fontenelle is cut from the same cloth as the greats: those who let nothing stand in their way, and never look down upon others' talent, background, or musical perspective. » (Musiq'3)

Belgian-American cellist Pierre Fontenelle is celebrated for his audacious projects and versatile artistry, earning recognition as a rising star of the Belgian classical music scene.

A top prizewinner at the 2022 Breughel, 2020 Buchet, and 2019 Edmond Baert Competitions, Pierre Fontenelle also served as Cello-Soloist for the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège until 2022and has since performed at prestigious venues across Europe and Asia, including Flagey, Chapelle Reine Élisabeth, la Seine Musicale, Taipei National Concert Hall, and Shanghai Oriental Art Center. Soloist performances with renowned ensembles include the Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège, Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra, Musiques Nouvelles, Casco Phil, andEnsemble Appassionato.

Pierre's commitment to Belgian music earned him the 2024 FUGA Trophy from the Belgian Composer's Union. Upcoming highlights of the 2024–25 season include the release and concert tour of his album Roots (Spring 2025), a series of concerto performances, premieres by composers Apolline Jesupret and Jean-François Jung, and an artist residency at the Abbaye de Royaumont with pianist Ninon Hannecart-Ségal.

His collaborative work extends to artists such as Jodie Devos, Florian Noack, Gaëlle Solal, Gwendoline Blondeel, and Gergely Madaras. Beyond classical music, Pierre explores popular and contemporary genres in Duo Kiasma with accordionist Frin Wolter, with whom he won the Accordé'Opale Competition. Following his 2024 release American Album with chamber music ensemble Oxalys, his solo album Roots reflects his tribute to contemporary American music.

Self-taught from a young age in Seattle, Pierre pursued formal training in Luxembourg, Namur, Mons, and Paris with mentors including Éric Chardon, Han Bin Yoon and Anne Gastinel. Now a professor at IMEP (Namur), he performs on an 1860 Nicolas-François Vuillaume cello, made available by the King Baudouin Foundation thanks to the generosity of the Léon Courtin-Marcel Bouché Fund and the Strings For Talent Foundation, and a 1690 Ruggieri cello.

Namurois of the Year 2020, Pierre is also the founder and artistic director of Concerts des Dames at the Abbaye Notre-Dame du Vivier and enjoys reading and writing poetry.