Last weekend, competitive and talented singers took the stage at BOZAR to add the highly coveted Queen Elisabeth Competition for Singing to their list of achievements. Korean tenor Teahan Kim was the standout finalist and superstar of the evening.
The spirited quartet—sopranos Lissa Meyvis and Alexandra Franck, baritone Jokke Martens, and pianist/tenor Lester Van Loock—prefer to chart their own course in showcasing their talent to audiences. They met over a decade ago at a masterclass in Germany and discovered an instant musical chemistry. While each has built a solo career, they've also ventured into this exciting collaborative project. This isn't a stiffly formal concert, but rather a warm fellowship built on genuine camaraderie and sparkling interplay.
There's nothing contrived about their performance. Authenticity is their trump card, with the focus squarely on quality. There's always room for solos, duets, and ensemble singing. With remarkable fluidity and polish, they weave it all into a coherent whole, punctuated by sparkling moments that add just the right spice. The heart of their concerts lies in their love of music and the warmth of their friendship—these are the true strength and pillars of Ode an die Freunde. By now, they've logged considerable miles and experience, and their talent and stage presence have truly ripened.
Just Friends
Impressive production values can't hold a candle to the brilliance of elegant simplicity. Making music and singing as naturally as breathing, with an ease and joy that's genuinely infectious—that's the magic formula of 'Ode an die Freunde.' Nothing more, nothing less. With sophisticated skill and perfect balance, they've crafted a fifth full evening of concert material. It's a stellar showcase for both technique and virtuosity. Through their repertoire choices, this broad canvas underscores their remarkable range. They don't just perform beloved standards; they introduce audiences to music's inexhaustible treasure trove. All woven into a vibrant tapestry that radiates pure energy. Diverse yet coherent, with music as the common thread throughout.
Staging
Apart from the concert grand piano, the stage is bare except for a pedestal holding an old telephone. It becomes a running gag as they incorporate it into the performance. Their beautiful voices and piano work fill the space.
Friendship is at the heart of this concert. They open with 'Lean on Me' by American singer-songwriter Bill Withers, transforming it into a gem of close harmony. This song was added to 'The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time' in 2010.Though the aria was written for a tenor, baritone Jokke Martens moves the audience with his powerful rendition of 'Nessun Dorma' from Puccini's opera Turandot.'It Takes Two' by Stephen Sondheim, one of the most important figures in musical theater of the 20th century, requires two performers. Alexandra Franck and Jokke deliver it as a duet, accompanied at the piano by Lester Van Loock. It's a text full of sophistication and delightful ambivalence.
The telephone rings and Alexandra Franck launches into 'The Telephone Aria'Nessun Dorma’ uit Puccini’s opera Turandot.
‘It Takes Two’ van Stephan Sondheim, een van de belangrijkst figuren in het muziektheater van de 20st eeuw, vraagt om twee vertolkers. Alexandra Franck en Jokke gaan in duet, aan de piano geaccompagneerd door Lestr Van Loock. Een tekst vol verfijning en ambivalentie.
De telefoon rinkelt en Alexandra Franck gooit zich in ‘The Telephone Aria’ by Gian Carlo Menotti from the English comic opera. Alexandra is a born comedienne. An ordinary, everyday conversation takes on musical significance here. You're absolutely captivated by her and enchanted by her brilliant facial expressions and body language.
Lissa Meyvis takes the fairy tale route with the sweet 'Someday my Prince Will Come' from the animated film Snow White. In stark contrast is the song 'Nimmersatte Liebe' by Hugo Wolf set to a poem by Eduard Mörike, in which the boundaries of love are explored with psychological sophistication. Harmonic nuances and pianistic texture are inextricably linked to the text.Lester Van Loock surprises with his own composition. He is not only an excellent pianist but as a composer he also hits it out of the park. An elegant, expressive melody with experimental harmonies.Jokke Martens reveals a burning passion for coffee. A guilty pleasure he shares with pianist Lester Van Loock. He throws himself wholeheartedly into 'The Coffee Song' by Frank Sinatra and adds even more musical cachet with his ukulele. The song 'You'll Never Walk Alone' from the musical Carousel by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein is sung worldwide as an anthem of encouragement on football terraces. Lester Van Loock arranged it into a touching number where the voices of the quartet blend beautifully.
As a contrast and closing to the first part, a cheerful song by Aaron Copland featuring a whole parade of farm animals.for piano and flute, also by French composer Philippe Gaubert. A dreamy, melodious, soothing tune.After the intermission, the quartet opens with an atmospheric and amorous Ukrainian folk song.
'Die Forelle' by Franz Schubert, composed for solo voice and piano, takes on a completely different tone when Jokke accompanies himself on his ukulele.
Alexandra Franck delivers a beautiful rendition of Don McLean's song 'Vincent.' She translated it into Dutch and accompanies herself on the piano.Accompanist Lester Van Loock gets a bit huffy when Lissa Meyvis also announces she doesn't need him. She delivers a particularly touching a capella interpretation of the hymn 'Amazing Grace.' She does it in her own inimitable way, subtle and full of nuance. A song that, through the purity of its performance, gives you goosebumps.Lester Van Loock impresses once again at the piano with works by Mozart. He wrote twelve different variations on the folk rhyme 'Altijd is Kortjakje ziek, midden in de week maar 's zondags niet,' which Lester colors beautifully.
Lissa Meyvis sings about her love for the piano in a cheeky way with 'I Love A Piano' by Irving Berlin. Lester van Loock provides exuberant instrumental accompaniment.
Als contrast en afsluiter van het eerst deel een vrolijk liedje van Aaron Copland waarin een hele rits boerderijdieren de revue passeren.
Na de pauze opent het viertal met een sfeervol en amoureus Oekraïens volksliedje.
‘Die Forelle’ van Franz Schubert, gecomponeerd voor solozang en piano, krijgt een heel andere tonaliteit wanneer Jokke zichzelf begeleidt op zijn ukelele.
Alexandra Franck brengt een prachtige versie van het lied ‘Vincent’ van Don McLean. Ze vertaalde het naar het Nederlands en begeleidt zichzelf op de piano.
Begeleider Lestr Van Loock wordt wat nukkig als ook Lissa Meyvis aankondigt dat ze hem niet nodig heeft. Ze brengt een bijzonder gevoelvolle a capella interpretatie van de hymne ‘Amazing Grace’. Ze doet dat op haar eigen onnavolgbare manier subtiel en vol nuance. Een lied dat door de puurheid van de vertolking voor kippenvelmomenten zorgt.
Lestr Van Loock imponeert andermaal aan de piano met werk van Mozart. Die schreef op het volksrijmpje ‘Altijd is Kortjakje ziek, midden in de week maar ’s zondags niet’ twaalf verschillende variaties, die Lestr prachtig weet in te kleuren.
Lissa Meyvis bezingt op een schalkse manier haar liefde voor de piano in ‘I Love A Piano’ van Irving Berlin. Lestr van Loock geeft instrumentaal exuberant weerwerk.
Alexandra and Jokke create a moment of quiet reflection with a duet from George Gershwin's musical Porgy and Bess. The particularly beautiful "Bess, You Is My Woman"Bess, You Is My Woman.
The Beatles also take center stage with the song "With A Little Help From My Friends"". The quartet makes it their own with cascading strings of crystalline notes. A vocal implosion.
They complete the circle with the opening number "Lean On Me". They assemble rhythmically and musically.
Ode to Friends: four personalities radiating group dynamics. Their acts have something volcanic about them. They love pushing boundaries and keeping the audience on their toes with humor, beauty, and surprises. 'Just Friends' is yet another rousing show. Our happiness hormones endorphins, dopamine, and oxytocin have been replenished.
Both in terms of vocal technique and emotional depth, powerful performances are delivered.
The audience was euphoric and demanded several encores. True to their name, Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy' was also among them.
WHO: Company Ode to Friends (Lissa Meyvis, Lester Van Loock, Jokke Martens, Alexandra Franck)
WHAT: Just Friends
Music: Bill Withers, Puccini, Stephen Sondheim, Gian Carlo Menotti, Hugo Wolf, Lester Van Loock, Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein, Aaron Copland, W.A. Mozart, George Gershwin, The Beatles, L. Van Beethoven
WHERE: Black Room, Torch Theatre
WHEN: Sunday, June 4 – 3 p.m.
