interviews – westwind

Annelies Van Parys: my “illness” is that I am always trying different things

Leave a Comment / interviews / By Wynold Verweij

On 27 (Ghent) and 28 May (Antwerp), the world premiere of Annelies Van Parys’ piano concerto will take place. She has developed an impressive portfolio of chamber music, orchestral works, vocal and music theatre in which timbre is central. A conversation about the creation of this concerto, the challenges of contemporary classical music and about her teacher Luc Brewaeys. A …

Annelies Van Parys: my “illness” is that I am always trying different things Read More »

Luc Van Hove on the novelty of pure listening

Leave a Comment / interviews / By Wynold Verweij

On Friday 11 February, the premiere of Symphony IV by Luc Van Hove will take place in Antwerp. So the time seems ripe for a philosophical conversation about the artistic meaning of the symphony, the lust for life of the opera, the changing role of the composer and the importance of learning to listen again. Luc Van Hove: “I am …

Luc Van Hove on the novelty of pure listening Read More »

Piet Swerts on the art of versatility

1 Comment / interviews / By Wynold Verweij

Pianist, conductor, composer and publisher. A repertoire that varies from piano, violin, opera, oratorio and wind orchestra to chamber music. His musical toolbox is overflowing, but it did not come naturally. A frank conversation about the hard and soft sides of the profession. “A piece has to be right. In the end, that is the only thing that counts for …

Piet Swerts on the art of versatility Read More »

Alfonso Gómez paints Morton Feldman with light and air

Leave a Comment / cd's, interviews, reviews / By Wynold Verweij

The Spanish-German pianist Alfonso Gómez has dared to put Morton Feldman’s last three piano works on CD. His interpretation is remarkably light and sparkling, adding a new element to the meditative sound world of this American composer. The piano was the favourite instrument of Morton Feldman (1926 – 1987). “What is the difference between an orchestra and a piano? A …

Alfonso Gómez paints Morton Feldman with light and air Read More »

Heleen Van Haegenborgh and the musicality of the number Pi

Leave a Comment / interviews / By Wynold Verweij

A conversation about nylon wire, percussionists and controlled freedom Heleen Van Haegenborgh is a composer, pianist, improviser and performer. She does not allow herself to be trapped in specific disciplines or musical genres. She collaborates with visual artists, theatre and film makers. For ZINDERING, a festival in the framework of sweltering silence that starts this week in Mechelen, Belgium, she …

Heleen Van Haegenborgh and the musicality of the number Pi Read More »

André Laporte: colourful, curious and involved

Leave a Comment / interviews / By Wynold Verweij

The éminence grise of contemporary Belgian music is celebrating his birthday This November , the Flemish branch of the International Society for Contemporary Music (ISCM) was celebrating the 90th birthday of its honorary member André Laporte. Composer, musicologist, teacher and philosopher Laporte, tireless promoter of contemporary Belgian music, is clearly in the mood. Time for a chat. By Wynold Verweij …

André Laporte: colourful, curious and involved Read More »

“Shostakovich captivates as a person and as a musician”

Leave a Comment / interviews / By Wynold Verweij

Dmitri Shostakovich (1906 – 1975) is a richly varied, fascinating composer. He lived and worked in structural uncertainty, struggled with mixed and unpredictable reactions from public and government, but remained in Russia against all odds. And above all he was a human being with a warm family and inspiring friendships. Festival 20∙21, which starts on Monday 27 September in Leuven, …

“Shostakovich captivates as a person and as a musician” Read More »