That February has only 28 days does not prevent Bozar from setting up a strong music program this month as well! Numerous instruments resound in the halls of the Palace of Fine Arts during the Rachmaninov Festival and the Bach Heritage Festival, where musicians give their best in emulation of the two famous composers. In addition to this portion of classical music, the Bruselas Flamenco Festival lets the Spanish sun shine over Brussels with various engaging performances that celebrate flamenco.
2.02.2023 – 5.02.2023
Sergei Rachmaninov is one of the most beloved Russian composers of the 20th century. Bozar and the Belgian National Orchestra showcase the diversity of the composer through his four virtuosic piano concertos, chamber music and moving Vespers.
The man described by Gramophone as 'the most innovative and brilliant performer' is one of the finest interpreters of Rachmaninov. Nikolai Lugansky masters the music completely thanks to his brilliant technique, which he always combines with sensitivity and depth. In 1990 he won second prize at the Rachmaninov Competition. He was responsible, among other things, for a recording of the Études-Tableaux op. 33 and op. 39, which has been regarded as a reference since then. At Bozar he performs Opus 33, a versatile technical masterpiece, which he combines with the first Sonata op. 28, a programmatic work inspired by Goethe's Faust. The famous and sublime Variations on a Theme of Chopin, op. 22 also hold no secrets for him. A not-to-be-missed recital during the Rachmaninov Festival, for which you should definitely reserve a seat!
The Belgian National Orchestra performs all of Rachmaninov's piano concertos in two titanic concerts. For this mammoth undertaking, two world-class pianists are engaged: Uzbek Behzod Abduraimov and Russian Denis Kozhukhin.
When Rachmaninov is on the Bozar program, you can expect the breathtaking keyboard runs of one of his piano concertos. In his Vespers, one of the most impressive a cappella choral works of the 20th century, you will rather discover the contemplative side of the Russian composer. Rachmaninov drew inspiration from old Russian Orthodox melodies and brought them together into a colorful kaleidoscope in which especially the low male voices strike the ear. The Latvian Radio Choir, one of Europe's finest choirs, adds works by Ēriks Ešenvalds and Pēteris Vasks and with its particularly pure, warm and harmonious sound will transform our great hall into a hushed and peaceful place.
Piano duos are not often encountered, and so this concert is a unique opportunity to hear a special repertoire. Kanako Ninomiya and Sara Vujadinović have Japanese and Serbian roots and found each other in Brussels. They enjoy playing together, at one or each at their own piano. For their concert in the heart of the Rachmaninov festival, they naturally opt for a Russian program: sparkling four-hand work by Skriabin, and Stravinsky's piano adaptation of his ballet music Petroesjka, here in an arrangement for two pianos. From Rachmaninov himself they perform Suite No. 1, dedicated to Tchaikovsky, and his Russian Rhapsody, which the piano virtuoso wrote when he was barely 18 years old.
9.02.2023 – 12.02.2023
Since 2015, the Bach Heritage Festival has shone a spotlight on the diverse and inexhaustible influence that Johann Sebastian Bach exerts on his successors. The new edition offers a range of concerts and performances that combine the German master with other artistic disciplines, other musical worlds, or simply with the refreshing energy of creative musicians. In the multidisciplinary section, Bozar brings you on the one hand J.S. Bach: das Kapital: a production that weaves dance, scenography, music and recitation to ask questions about the relationship of our society to economy and ecology. And on the other hand, there is the unique encounter between the cello of Fabrice Bihan and the artistic juggling of Vincent de Lavenère.
The brilliant improvisers – again in emulation of Bach – Tord Gustavsen and Trygve Seim from Norway explore the intimate world of choral music, while Belgian pianist Julien Libeer combines Das Wohltemperierte Klavier with choral masterworks of all times, sung here by Cappella Amsterdam. More fresh spirits: baritone Benjamin savors the delicious aroma of Bach's arias, and the young chamber music ensemble L'Apothéose brings the illustrious Brandenburg Concertos back to life. So look forward to beautiful moments of musical inventiveness!
In 1729 Johann Sebastian Bach composed the church cantata Was frag ich nach der Welt (What Must I Ask of the World). Today Zamus, the Cologne Center for Early Music, dresses the work in a contemporary jacket. A creative team led by composer Leonhard Bartussek and choreographer Alexandra Waierstall creates a wild mix of music, dance and visual elements, in which past and present are woven together and social criticism is not spared. Belgian Griet de Geyter, an established name in the international music scene and specialized in vocal baroque, also shines as soprano.
The Norwegian jazz pianist Tord Gustavsen is, according to his own account, 'continuously searching for fresh and radically stripped beauty in music'. He does this with verve: after Gustavsen previously succeeded in weaving his melancholic jazz with gospel, Scandinavian folk and Caribbean music, this time he takes several Bach chorales as a starting point. In a duet with saxophonist Trygve Seim, authentic lyrical beauty is fused with contemporary improvisation in which every note is approached with the greatest care. The music radiates vibrant tranquility: silence rarely sounds so present. A pure, intriguing voice in today's music scene.
Benjamin Appl we probably don't need to introduce to you anymore: the baritone's trophy cabinet is gradually overflowing and recently the Financial Times called him 'the most promising song recitalist of today'. Appl usually makes a splash within the classical-romantic repertoire, but returns here to an old love: the song repertoire of Johann Sebastian Bach. Together with the Ensemble Masques, under the musical direction of Olivier Fortin, he presents a varied selection of Bach's more intimate works: from fragments of the iconic St. Matthew Passion to some of his lesser-known but beautiful cantatas.
Bach through new eyes and in young hands: that is of course the core of the Bach Heritage Festival. This concert will certainly be a highlight in that regard. In their own country, it went truly rapidly for this young ensemble: from the classroom in the conservatory to residencies in Spain's largest musical institutions in just a few years – with a series of prestigious prizes along the way. And now they are breaking through internationally with particularly well-thought-out interpretations that truly manage to expose every rhetorical and emotional layer of a work. They apply their colorful and authentic historical approach not only to unlock the Spanish Baroque repertoire, but also to German masters such as Händel and Telemann. And during our festival of course to the greatest of them all: Bach.
28.02.2023 – 05.03.2023
This new edition of the Bruselas Flamenco Festival puts one of the most important artistic expressions of Spanish culture back in the spotlight. With guitarist Vicente Amigo, the family Los Sordera and Irene Álvarez, who presents her latest dance project, three stars of the flamenco world are coming to Brussels. In addition, the festival also wants to highlight exciting cross-pollinations with other art forms such as classical music, jazz and dance. The Belgian National Orchestra presents a flamenco evening with several works by Manuel de Falla, or the spectacle ¡Viva! in which six men dress up as bailaoras. Finally, there is also Belgian flamenco talent with Marisol Valderrama. Get ready for five days of Spanish splendor.
Marisol Valderrama was born in Brussels, but has roots in the Andalusian Cádiz, the mythical port city and cradle of flamenco. At the age of five, she began dancing, and her talent was quickly noticed. She apprenticed with masters such as Joaquin Grilo, Alejandro Granados and Javier Latorre and thus created her own distinctive style. Today she surrounds herself only with Spanish friends and highlights the connection between the two countries.