Dominik Wollenweber Cor anglais, Oboe
Information
Facts
Born in Gräfelfing, Germany
Member since 01.09.1993
Biography
The sound of the cor anglais (English horn) was a part of Dominik Wollenweber's life since he was born; his father played the cor anglais in the Bavarian State Orchestra. But Dominik Wollenweber took the long way round to this instrument. He first played the flute and, aged 14, took up the oboe, which he studied in Munich with Hagen Wangenheim at the Musikhochschule and with Simon Dent at the Richard Strauss Conservatory.
He first performed with the Berliner Philharmoniker as a member of the Orchestra Academy, in which he studied from 1991-93 with Hansjörg Schellenberger. During this time, Wollenweber was principal oboist of the European Union Youth Orchestra under Claudio Abbado. After applying for various oboe positions, he approached the Berliner Philharmoniker to audition for the vacant cor anglais post, and was engaged.
In addition to his many activities in the orchestra and as a chamber musician, he has been a visiting professor for oboe at the Hanns Eisler Musikhochschule since 2000. The father of six children, he prefers to spend his free time with his family.
Awards
Prize-winner, ARD International Competition in Munich (1996)
Sponsors’ prize, Bavarian Ministry for Culture (1992)
“As an English horn player I have a lot of time to listen. I mostly play when all the other musicians are silent. The dark sound of the cor anglais is especially effective in lyrical, melancholy and contemplative moments.”
