The Peter Benoit project around his religious quadrilogy, organized by the province of Antwerpen, the Peter Benoit Fonds and the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, is concluded with the (very first complete!) CD release of the live performances that preceded it. The religious quadrilogy consists of Kerstmis/Noël, Messe Solennelle, Te Deum and Requiem, all recorded in the O.L.V. Kathedraal and the Sint-Carolus Borromeuskerk in Antwerpen.
Hopefully this is not where it ends, and first deputy of the province of Antwerpen Luk Lemmens assures us that, if it were up to him, more would be done around Peter Benoit and Flemish composers in general. A 150 years ago, when Peter Benoit was freshly appointed director of the Antwerpsche Muziekschool and was a celebrated composer both nationally and internationally, it was unthinkable that he would ever threaten to disappear into the folds of time. He won the prestigious Rome Prize at age 23 and subsequently experienced all sorts of breakthroughs, including with this religious quadrilogy. Yet in 2018 it is difficult to give Flemish composers of old a place in the music repertoire performed in our concert halls. That is why Luk Lemmens is all the more proud to present an impressive CD today together with the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra. They understand that quality does not always have to be sought elsewhere.
Joost Magerman, the intendant of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, announced that 'De Oorlog', the largest musical work ever composed by Peter Benoit, will be performed in 2020. There has been considerable research and preparation involved, but it is better that it is then performed properly at once and leaves an indelible impression. We may also look forward to the 3rd symphony of Joseph Ryelandt in 2019, yet another of our greatest composers, especially regarding symphonic and religious works.
The merit of Peter Benoit
Patrick Verhoeven, current chairman of the Peter Benoitfonds, told us that all of this of course closely aligns with their aim: promoting music from our own soil. Their heritage mission extends equally to very tangible heritage such as the recent restoration of the Peter Benoit monument in the Antwerpse harmoniepark. Soon to follow is the restoration of Peter Benoit's piano. In the spirit of this Flemish master who encouraged other talent, the organization has recently begun awarding the Peter Benoit prize. This year Frits Celis received the prize in recognition of his oeuvre and next year this prize will be awarded to a performer from our region. On December 6th there will be a tribute concert at deSingel in honor of Frits Celis.
That we now have Flemish music education is largely thanks to Peter Benoit, who as a talented composer and music pedagogue stood with both feet in the musical life of his time, with an eye toward all currents in Europe. He established that there was potential for a national school in Flanders, just as such schools emerged musically in other European countries in the mid-nineteenth century.
We are also pleased as Klassiek Centraal to have been present here, given that we too like to devote extra attention to music from our own soil. It was such a compelling press conference that it was difficult to select what to write down here. We can look forward to many more compelling projects in our musical landscape.
We thank the province of Antwerpen including its first deputy Luk Lemmens and their press officer for the good reception, intendant of the ASO Joost Magerman, musicologist Jan De Wilde, chairman of the Peter Benoit-fonds Patrick Verhoeven, the Studiecentrum voor Vlaamse Muziek and of course Peter Benoit himself.
- WHAT: Press conference Peter Benoit - CD release Religious quadrilogy
- WHO: Peter Benoit, Luk Lemmens, Joost Magerman, Patrick Verhoeven, Jan De Wilde
- WHERE: Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal Antwerpen
- WHEN: Friday 06/07/2018