Last year, on 15 February 2024, Kristiaan Van Ingelgem passed away. His funeral on 24 February in the much too small Sint-Martinuskerk in Aalst proved how well-known, beloved and admired he was as a person and musician. And especially how many people held Kristiaan dear in their hearts.
In the week preceding what would have been Kristiaan's eightieth birthday, two posthumous tribute concerts followed. In Sint-Gillis-bij-Dendermonde, Peter Thomas and Stijn Hanssens performed a selection from Kristiaan's organ works and the "Liber Amicorum", a collaborative work by composer friends dedicated to Kristiaan, had its premiere.
In Aalst, Kristiaan's organ works had to be unavoidably left out due to the absence of a suitable instrument. The ensemble BachPlus under the direction of Bart Naessens therefore delved into the other, much less well-known oeuvre of Kristiaan and presented a programme with his songs, choral works and chamber music. This choice surprised the again large audience; the high quality and originality of Kristiaan's works aroused admiration in listeners and performers.
Today Kristiaan's passing lies exactly one year and one day behind us. Now that the grief over his departure gradually makes room for grateful memories, it is time for the third, more intimate part of this commemorative triptych. In addition to atmospheric chamber music by Kristiaan, organ works dedicated to him will also be performed.
Kristiaan van Ingelgem left behind a treasure trove of compositions that is being further explored through research by his son Maarten. To do justice to Kristiaan's musical legacy, to illustrate the wealth of his oeuvre and the rich palette of his musical language, a triptych is insufficient. The organizers of this concert hope that this three-part work may grow in the future into a musically multicolored polyptych as a lasting and grateful tribute to a great musician.
