Clarinetist Thierry Wartelle is a modern virtuoso who draws his artistic talent from the classical repertoire as well as from experimenting with new works. An eclectic musician, he uses the different instruments of the clarinet family and explores the different aspects of the clarinet (classical, romantic, modern, contemporary, musical theatre, electro-acoustics...). He adapts numerous works for his instrument and writes pieces for educational purposes. He regularly participates in shows with educational collaboration, drama and dance classes, school children (Histoire du Soldat, Pierrot Lunaire, Quatuor pour la fin du temps...).
After his debut in the classes at the Conservatoire National de Région de Douai, a pupil of his father's, he was unanimously awarded First Prize at the Conservatoire National de Paris, where he entered at the age of 16. Further training at the Mozarteum in Salzburg with the masters Karl Leister (Berlin Orchestra) and Rudolf Jettel (Vienna Orchestra), led him to the position of Clarinet Soloist of the Orchestre National de l'Île de France since 1981 at the age of 21.
At the same time, he performed in numerous concerts and festivals as a soloist and chamber musician, which took him to France and abroad (Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Italy, Great Britain, Andorra, Japan, Tunisia, Netherlands, Slovakia, China where he gave a master class at the Beijing Conservatory). He collaborates with the New York City Ballet at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. His compact disc Deux siècles de Clarinette française is unanimously appreciated by the press.
In 1989, he founded and directed the festival Musique en Périgord. He created many musical pieces (G. Keller, Ph. Dulat, M. Eychenne, J. Castérède, M. Hugon, A. Ameller, G.Hugon, P. Guiral, J.P. Beugniot, G. Cagnard, C. Rastelli, M. de Lagrange, Armando Ghidoni, André Dion...).
Passionate about pedagogy, he teaches in different conservatories and music schools: CRR de Douai, CRD d'Argenteuil, CRD de St Germain en Laye, Conservatoire du 17e de Paris, École César Franck de Paris and in different summer courses (notably at the International Summer Academy of Chaumont). He has been studying at the Conservatoire National de Région d'Amiens since March 2000. He is regularly invited as a jury member in the Conservatoires Supérieurs, à Rayonnement Régional, à Rayonnement Départemental, CEFEDEM, CNFPT, and is entrusted with a mission of pedagogical training for a CEFEDEM.
Since 2002, he creates and presides over the Regional Association of clarinettists "Clarinettes en Picardie" whose goals are to share and disseminate this instrument to the greatest number of people. This action allows him to develop, in the Picardy region, sustained work of coordination, exchange, information and promotion with most of his colleagues. This association is a real success with the various local and national actors and partners, particularly thanks to its annual edition of a national competition designed to encourage the practice of the clarinet.
In January 2003, he created a regional clarinet choir "Ebène en Picardie", a large ensemble made up exclusively of teachers from the three departments of Picardy. With this choir, he develops a policy of creations dedicated to this training, anxious to develop the repertoire of clarinet choirs.
He is a lecturer on the theme of Introduction to the Chalumeau at the congress of the European Clarinet Association. He is also a permanent member of the regional clarinet choir of Nord / Pas de Calais, "Borée".