door Wynold Verweij Hide to Show by German composer Michael Beil is the opening of the annual Transit festival in Leuven. In it, the Nadar Ensemble explores internet culture through live video, isolation and the limits of hyper-reality. A conversation with the composer about the grey area between music and theatre and what remains ofContinue reading “The wondrous reality of Michael Beil”
Category Archives: interviews
Martijn Buser (Gaudeamus): ‘New music is worth being discovered’
door Wynold Verweij From 6 to 10 September, Utrecht will be the global centre of contemporary classical music. From its inception in 1946, the Gaudeamus festival shows what young composers of today are working on. The main part of the programme is new music, mostly world premieres by composers and creators under 40. A conversationContinue reading “Martijn Buser (Gaudeamus): ‘New music is worth being discovered’”
Annelies Van Parys: my “illness” is that I am always trying different things
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 aboutContinue reading “Annelies Van Parys: my “illness” is that I am always trying different things”
Luc Van Hove on the novelty of pure listening
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.Continue reading “Luc Van Hove on the novelty of pure listening”
Piet Swerts on the art of versatility
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 theContinue reading “Piet Swerts on the art of versatility”
Alfonso Gómez paints Morton Feldman with light and air
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 anContinue reading “Alfonso Gómez paints Morton Feldman with light and air”
Heleen Van Haegenborgh and the musicality of the number Pi
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 thisContinue reading “Heleen Van Haegenborgh and the musicality of the number Pi”
André Laporte: colourful, curious and involved
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 forContinue reading “André Laporte: colourful, curious and involved”
“Shostakovich captivates as a person and as a musician”
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 onContinue reading ““Shostakovich captivates as a person and as a musician””