THOMAS LANGLOIS
lutenist
Thomas Langlois was born in Ghent on the 12th of June, 1999. His passion for music manifested itself at an early age during his first guitar and lute lessons at the music academy in Aalter, his first teachers being Jona Kesteleyn (guitar) and Bart Roose (lute). Later on, still a teenager, he followed several masterclasses to further develop his playing technique and musicality with Johan Fostier, Yves Storms, Gaëlle Solal, Manuel Barrueco and Jan Depreter.
His versatility as a musician was observed by the Royal Conservatory of Ghent, when he did his entrance exams on the guitar as well as the lute. He was admitted for both instruments, but the combination of the two was impossible: he had to make a choice that would determine the course of his musical career. His interest in early music eventually convinced him to dedicate himself fully to the lute, under the guidance of Wim Maeseele. During his studies in Ghent, Florian Heyerick and Patrick Beuckels also had a profound influence on his playing and musical vision.
Another passion that Thomas had cultivated at an early age was for harmony, counterpoint and music theory, which he also studied in Ghent under Marc Masson. After five intensive years, combining a master in musical performance and a master in music theory, he graduated with distinction for both studies. Right now, he is studying at the prestigious Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Switserland.
During these years he experimented with a lot of different chamber music combinations. This resulted in several ensembles, with which he performs to this day in a professional context.
Together with mezzo-soprano Anna Nuytten, he formed the duo “Coordonné”. They make music of composers/ singer-songwriters of different periods, and explore the possible ways in which all these different styles can be reconciled. It resulted in their debut-CD “Terrain Vague”, released in 2021 by the label Etcétéra. This album is frequently played on KLARA, and was well received by critics and public alike.
He also was one of the founding members of ensemble “Vecchie Musiche”, the director and artistic leader being Nicolas Cornia. Together with singers Jana Pieters, Ellen Wils, Lidwien van Winckel, Leander van Gijsegem and others, the group performs music by (often) forgotten Renaissance- and Baroque composers.
Thomas also performs in several other ensembles and orchestras.
Since 2021 he has frequently played with Baroque ensemble “Musica Gloria”, with Beniamino Paganini and Nele Vertommen. With “Les Goüts Authentiques”, Thomas recorded 2 CD’s with music by Henry Purcell. On invitation by Florian Heyerick he worked with Baroque orchestra “Ex Tempore” on several productions. He played concerts with “Red Herring”, the ensemble of Patrick Denecker. These and various other experiences brought him to many stages throughout Belgium and Europe.
Thomas considers his career as a soloist as equally important: he plays the Renaissance lute (6- up to 10-course), Theorbo, Baroque guitar and Baroque lute. He followed masterclasses with artists such as Paul O’dette, Nigel North, Philippe Malfeyt.and Floris de Rycker. To dive deeper into the music of John Dowland and his contemporaries, Thomas travelled to England to study with Jacob Heringman and Dame Emma Kirkby, leading experts on the subject. He also followed an intensive course in Siena (Italy), with Paul Beier and Michael Chance. Thomas is already playing several solo concerts in Belgium and abroad.
