Next season, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra is focusing on multi-talented artists and interdisciplinarity. The season theme is embodied by featured artists Nicolas Namoradze, Gabriela Montero and Jeremy Denk, who besides the piano make waves as a neuropsychologist, improviser and writer respectively. Furthermore, the connections between classical music and other art forms are explored, including a film week, an interactive family concert around The Four Seasons and a unique mindfulness concert.
Among the world-renowned guests are cellist Sol Gabetta, pianists Elisabeth Leonskaja and András Schiff, violinists Ray Chen and Bomsori, and clarinetist Martin Fröst. The Antwerp Symphony Orchestra opens the classical concert season in September with a stylish gala featuring international star Pretty Yende, who will also perform at the coronation of King Charles III.
(multi)talent
The Antwerp Symphony Orchestra is focusing on multi-talented artists this coming season. These people have multiple talents that they want to share with us, yes must share. Call it a calling. Featured artist Nicolas Namoradze is besides a pianist also a neuropsychologist, and brings his two passions together during a unique mindfulness concert. Jeremy Denk shares the stage as a pianist with the world's foremost orchestras, but is also a writer, among other things for The Guardian and The New Yorker. In addition to three concerts in Antwerp and Gent, he will also give a lecture about his autobiography Every Good Boy Does Fine.Classical music furthermore has many connections with other art forms, such as literature, poetry and ballet. But film is par excellence the discipline that exists in symbiosis with music. From 10 to 17 September, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra brings pearls from over a century of musical cinema history for a week. Besides classics from silent film (Sherlock Jr. by Buster Keaton and Modern Times by Charlie Chaplin), the orchestra also presents the blockbuster Jurassic Park live in concert. The children's book Wilde Dierenorkest by bestselling author (and composer!) Dan Brown, known for among others The Da Vinci Code, is also brought to life in the Elisabeth Hall.
"It is a particular privilege of my position that I get the chance every day to meet people who have turned their calling into their profession, first and foremost our own musicians, but also the many fascinating guests who pursue their craft in all possible art forms. I look forward to sharing that privilege with everyone again this coming season."
- Joost Maegerman, intendant Antwerp Symphony Orchestra
International guests
The Antwerp Symphony Orchestra collaborates as always with renowned conductors and soloists. In season 2023-2024, conductors such as Osmo Vänska, Jun Märkl and Krzysztof Urbański, and top soloists such as Elisabeth Leonskaja, Sol Gabetta, Martin Fröst and Bejun Mehta will be visiting.
Elim Chan begins her fifth season in 2023-2024 as chief conductor of Antwerp Symphony, with highlights including the Elisabeth weekend with Bomsori and the Belgian premiere of the clarinet concerto Weathered by American composer Anna Clyne. Honorary conductor Philippe Herreweghe welcomes among others cellist Nicolas Altstaedt, pianist Martin Helmchen and his Collegium Vocale Gent in the Elisabeth Hall. Conductor emeritus Jaap van Zweden is a guest with Bruckner's popular Seventh Symphony and Mahler's Sixth Symphony.
"Talent is, more so than skill or inspiration, the inner feeling and conviction that you have something to say, and that you have found a way to express it. Talent is a responsibility, a calling – and if it is nurtured, it becomes much less something to struggle with, but rather the driving force in one's life."
- Nicolas Namoradze, featured artist in season '23-'24
Classical music for everyone
Spotlight (new)
During Spotlight you dive into a symphonic work in one hour, from special places in the hall. In between, host Carlo Siau talks with orchestra and conductor about the work. A crash course in symphonic class in the afternoon: the ideal deepening for the music lover.
Double Play at Noon (new)
Take your place in the middle of the orchestra during your lunch break. You feel how the score comes to life around you. Then you settle into the comfortable seats of the Queen Elisabeth Hall and enjoy the music once more. In half an hour you get to know the work in a unique way, and afterwards you get a free sandwich. The perfect lunch break!
Club Concerts with MCs Jade Mintjens and Michael Van Peel
During the Club Concerts of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, things are relaxed. You enjoy a short program with highlights from classical music, in a casual atmosphere and with comedy of the highest order linked together by MCs Jade Mintjens and Michael Van Peel. An afterparty in the lounge completes the evening.
We Have A Dream with Tutu Puoane and Brussels Jazz Orchestra
Music brings solace to a world that is burning. We Have a Dream brings together the best from the rich history of the protest song: from Stevie Wonder to Marvin Gaye, from Nina Simone to Sting. Antwerp Symphony shares the stage with Brussels Jazz Orchestra and Tutu Puoane. We Have a Dream by the Antwerp native with South African roots is a project with a universal message, more relevant today than ever. A tribute to human rights, and to their defenders.
Family performances
In addition to the three usual KIDconcerts (from age 6), the family program this season has been expanded with a unique performance of the children's book Wilde Dierenorkest by bestselling author Dan Brown, with narrator Vic De Wachter (from age 4). When Vivaldi released his now world-famous violin cycle De Vier Seizoenen, he also wrote a sonnet for each part. In this performance for the whole family (from age 8), you let your imagination run free with the text and music, guided by multi-talented concert master Lisanne Soeterbroek.