Arts Flanders Music

Brussels orchestras share in success of French movie ‘The Artist’

carlo — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:26:16 +0000

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On 15 January 2012, the French film ‘The Artist’ landed three Golden Globes, including the one for ‘Best Soundtrack’. With the contribution of two Brussels-based orchestras it has an important Belgian connection.

‘The Artist’ is a 2011 comedy-drama film directed by Michel Hazanavicius, starring Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo. The story takes place in Hollywood between 1927 and 1932 and focuses on a declining film star and a rising actress, as silent cinema falls out of fashion and is replaced by the talkies.

Most of the film itself is silent; the soundtrack therefore is ever so present and acts in a way as the voice of the actors. Last year in April, film composer Bource spent a week in Brussels recording the soundtrack, together with the Brussels Philharmonic, the Brussels Jazz Orchestra, Jef Neve, and conductor Ernst van Tiel in Studio 4 at Flagey.
For Brussels Philharmonic it is the second Golden Globe. In 2005 the orchestra made an international breakthrough as an orchestra of reference for the recording and performance of film music, with Howard Shore’s Golden Globe for ‘The Aviator’ by Martin Scorsese.

Thanks to the Ghent Film Festival, with its focus on film soundtracks, the Brussels Philharmonic has managed to build up a considerable network and film composers started to like their work. Working for the film industry however, requires a new organisation.

Gunther Broucke, general manager:
“We have often had to decline offers, as the structure of a traditional orchestra does not always fit in with the workings of the film industry, where everything has to be rushed within a matter of two to three months. We are currently in talks with the government of Flanders to create a spin-off company that could operate under the working title Brussels 'Film'harmonic. This business will then commission the orchestra for specific productions and will be able to sign agreements for technical support.”

The soundtrack for ‘The Artist’ was released on October 21, 2011 through Sony Classical Records.

More info:
http://www.brusselsjazzorchestra.com/
http://www.brusselsphilharmonic.be/en/home/

Music

The Belgian Baroque Orchestra B’Rock represents Ghent as ‘Unesco Creative City of Music’ in Sevilla, Ghent en Bologna.

carlo — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:31:28 +0000

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In March 2012, Seville, Bologna and Ghent – 3 of the 4 cities that were selected by UNESCO as ‘Creative City of Music’ - will join forces to create a unique musical event. Each city selects an ensemble specialized in early music, presenting their rich musical heritage. And secondly, they invite these three orchestra’s to perform during an UNESCO Music Day organised in their own city.

Muziekcentrum De Bijloke, and the City of Ghent, took the initiative to create the first edition of the UNESCO MUSIC DAY in Ghent, and selected the Belgian baroque orchestra B’Rock as representative. The Orquesta Barroca de Sevilla will represent the city of Sevilla, and the Accademia degli Astrusi the city of Bologna.

On the 9th of March, B’Rock will represent its city during FeMÀS, the Festival de Musica Antigua in Sevilla; The 11th of March they will perform on the first edition of the UNESCO MUSIC DAY in Muziekcentrum De Bijloke. A unique opportunity to enjoy three top European ensembles on the same day, in the same concert hall. This day provides an exceptional opportunity to bring the three orchestra’s together on stage and present a Grand Finale. They will be led by Rodolfo Richter, concert master for B’Rock.

With the program titled ‘With Love from Ghent’, B’Rock will present 18th-century repertoire. The ensemble will delve into the music of Jacques (Jakob) Loeillet, a descendant of the famous Loeillet family of Ghent. His music will be accompanied by pieces from Pieter van Maldere, Henri-Jacques De Croes, Georg Friedrich Haendel and Georg Philipp Telemann. All these composers have -from their personal environment- given impulses to the development and spread of the new musical spirit that would soon pervade all of Europe.

More info:
www.b-rock.org
www.debijloke.be

Press contact B’Rock:
Nina D’haeseleer
nina@c-zuur.be
0032 9/335 87 97
0032 491/25 22 33

Music

Resolution 'Action plan for music in Flanders' ratified

carlo — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 23:00:00 +0000

On 14 December 2011, the plenary meeting of Flemish parliament approved the resolution ‘Action plan for music in Flanders’. This resolution proposes 15 concrete recommendations and offers useful and effective guidelines for a sustainable and stimulating government music policy.

The proposal was made by politicians Philippe De Coene, Johan Verstreken, Lieven Dehandschutter, Paul Delva, Herman Schueremans, Bart Caron and Yamila Idrissi. The recommendations concern internationalisation and talent development, copyright, financing and standards for noise control as well as music education and patrimony, and respond directly to current needs and recent developments within the music industry. The proposal also emphasizes how deeply music is rooted in our society and how socially important a strong and affluent music industry really is.

Music unites politics
The broad and strong general support for the text of the resolution demonstrates that music knows no political boundaries. The initiators all belong to different political families and the Culture, Youth, Sports and Media Commission’s approval was unanimous.
Philippe De Coene (sp•a) emphasizes that not only the culture minister is addressed: the plan actually addresses almost the entire government: “With the sector we have to see to it that the recommendations are taken in hand.”
Paul Delva (CD&V) expects this resolution “to boost a transversal music policy in Flanders."
Herman Schueremans (Open Vld) hopes this resolution “will not remain dead letter among our policy makers and that it will be fully implemented in order to stimulate the music industry to expand.”

Seventeen organisations, one voice
The industry, represented in the “MuziekOverleg” deliberation platform, took part in laying the foundations of the proposal. In 2010 the “MuziekOverleg” published ‘Music is Life! An integrated vision for the music industry’ presenting a clear survey of the challenges the Flemish music sector is facing and the building blocks that are needed to meet these challenges. Bart Caron (Groen!) also believes that the approval of the resolution holds a new challenge for the music industry: “The MuziekOverleg [has] to assume the role of guardian angel of politicians’ conscience and memory.

The “MuziekOverleg” platform was started in 2007 by the Flanders Music Centre, service desk for the professional music industry. The idea was to initiate structural dialogue with the government and to develop long-term views for the entire industry. The platform was recently recognized as an official discussion partner by culture minister Schauvliege. The first recommendation to be followed...

Music

‘Belgium Booms’ at Eurosonic 2012

carlo — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:40:34 +0000

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From 11 to 14 January, the city of Groningen will again be hosting the Eurosonic international showcase festival and music conference for pop and rock music. The Belgian delegation looks quite promising.

This annual showcase festival is one of the most important of its kind in Europe. On the bill in 2012: a nice total of 12 fellow Belgian bands. The Flanders Music Centre and WBM (Wallonie Bruxelles Musiques) will join forces for a ‘Belgium Booms’ promotion campaign supporting the selected Belgian bands.

Eurosonic Noorderslag is the annual rendezvous for a wide range of international booking agents, managers, record labels and journalists, who come to get a taste of the European music scene. From 11 to 14 January, Groningen will welcome 18,000 festival visitors, 3000 international music professionals, 260 European bands, 150 panel discussions and conferences, 25 EBU public radio stations, representatives of 400 European festivals and about a hundred European journalists.

The showcase performances during Eurosonic are an effective way of boosting new European talent. The most promising acts in their home country - often unknown beyond their own borders - present themselves to the visiting music professionals and the Dutch audience. The programme mainly includes pop, rock and electronic music.

Belgian bands at Eurosonic:

Amatorski
Selah Sue (EBBA winner)
Intergalactic Lovers
Addicted Kru Sound
SX
School Is Cool
Steak Number Eight
Great Mountain Fire
Puggy
Hoquets
Triggerfinger
Experimental Tropic Blues Band

More info:

www.eurosonic-noorderslag.nl

Music

Flemish girls’ choir ready to conquer Britain?

carlo — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:07:37 +0000

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Scala, the all-girl choir conducted by the Kolacny Brothers, is facing its moment of truth in Great Britain. On 5th December it performed for the British Royal Family during the recording of the annual 'Royal Variety Performance' TV Special on ITV, a highlight in the UK's TV year. The Royal Variety Performance will be broadcast in Britain on 14th December.

For this TV show Scala chose to perform its version of U2’s ‘With or Without You’ together with the immensely popular ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ winner Jai McDowall. The idea came from the music mogul Simon Cowell. The single will be released on 13th December, but whether it will give the choir a firm foothold in Great Britain remains to be seen. In spite of the fact that only a few fellow Flemings have succeeded before them, the girls seem to be well on their way to conquering the hearts of British music-lovers.

Wonder-year
2011 has on the whole been a breakthrough year for Scala & the Kolacny Brothers, as they toured the United States and Canada in support of their first North American CD release, following their successful trailer for ‘The Social Network’. The tour included dates in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago as well as the SXSW and Coachella festivals.

Scala & the Kolacny Brothers take classic rock and indie songs and reinvent them as elegiac hymns – to breathtaking effect – with the piano often the sole accompaniment to the voices. On occasion they also use drum machines, sequencers and synthesizers, and also often perform with a full rock band. The new album includes versions of ‘Use Somebody’ (Kings of Leon), ‘Everlong’ (Foo Fighters), ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ (Nirvana), ‘Champagne Supernova’ (Oasis), ‘With or Without You’ (U2), ‘Nothing Else Matters’ (Metallica),’ and others. ‘Creep’ is also featured, as are three original compositions – ‘Seashell,’ ‘Masquerade,’ and ‘Our Last Fight.’

Music

Flamundo!4 at Womex 2011

carlo — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 22:00:00 +0000

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Flamundo! is a series of compilation CDs that offers a varied and tasteful introduction to world music from the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium. For Womex 2011, the international exhibition for world music, Flanders Music Centre put together a colourful fourth edition.

What makes world music from Belgium so special? Why do so many artists choose Belgium as their home?

This little country has always been a crossroads, and with Brussels being the capital of Europe, the country has been like a sponge, readily absorbing expressions from east to west and north to south in the own musical language. Besides many talented native musicians, Flanders became a new home for quite a number of foreign musicians, which generates beautiful collaborations.

The 4th compilation presents a lively mix of adventurous groups from several musical directions with a mutual interest for roots music from all regions.

The selection of these bands was made by specialists in the field: journalists and promoters with extra attention for the artists that will be represented at Womex 2011. The Flamundo!4 CD will be distributed among radio makers, journalists, labels, programmers,... to promote music from Flanders. And hopefully, the Belgian crossroads will also become a starting point for a fruitful intercultural dialogue.

MORE INFO ON WOMEX 2011:
http://www.womex.com

Music professionals not attending Womex 2011 and interested in a copy of the Flamundo!4 compilation, can contact katrien@muziekcentrum.be

TRACKLIST FLAMUNDO!4:

1. Antwerp Gipsy Ska Orkestra - Basalaja (Ft. Marko Markovic) (Belgium/Servia/Chile/Argentina)

2. Va Fan Fahre - Lahzet Zekrayat (Belgium/Maroc)

3. Los Callejeros - Zouk (Belgium/Cuba/Colombia/Peru/..)

4. Orchestre International du Vetex - Satanathanika (Belgium/France)

5. Baloji - Kesho (Belgium/Congo)

6. La Chiva Gantiva - Por eso canto (Belgium/France/Chile/Columbia)

7. Balaxy Orchestra - Balaxy (Belgium/Italy)

8. Maguaré - Prende la vela (Belgium/Columbia)

9. Jaune Toujours - Bienvenue chez moi (Turntable Dubbers remix) (Belgium)

10. Pura Vida, The Congos - Tuffer (Belgium/Congo)

11. Brassafrik - Arriate (Belgium/Africa)

12. Marockin' Brass - Flyzone (Belgium/Maroc)

13. Hijaz - Chemsi (Beglium/Tunisia)

14. Issa Sow - Doumale Senegal/Belgium)

15. Blindnote - Silmaxa (Senegal/Belgium/Mexico)

16. Wouter Vandenabeele - Chanson du peuple oublié (Belgium/Turkey)

17. Bert Cornelis, Ghalia Benali - Chahd (Belgium/Tunisia)

18. Arifa/Osama Abduralsol - Après minuit (Irak/Belgium/Turkey/Romania)

19. Mógil - Uglan mín fín (Iceland/Belgium)

20. Bert Ostyn - Little rascal (Radio edit from Sountrack "Turquaze")

Music

Polyphony finds new home

carlo — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:40:15 +0000

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In October 2011, The House of Polyphony will open as a new part of the operations and infrastructure of the Alamire Foundation. Located on the site of Park Abbey in Heverlee, this centre will be a documentation centre and a location for public events, while at the same time carrying out its primary function as a centre where scholars and performers can work together to their mutual benefit through individual or group research, practical experiences and experimentation.

In the House of Polyphony scholars and performers can follow a trajectory together, where they can think, work, make music, and experiment. This will make of the House of Polyphony a laboratory for research and innovation.

The internationally renowned musician and musicologist Joshua Rifkin has also been invited as a guest professor to lead research and performance activities over the course of 2011-2012 in the House of Polyphony. The activities will include a project around the 16-century Flemish composer Jacob Clemens non Papa, including workshops and a concert project in which performers (Cappella Pratensis) will confront musicological findings over the course of their preparations.

More info: http://www.alamirefoundation.org/en

Radio report (in German) by Andrea Braun:
http://www.wdr3.de/tonart/details/artikel/wdr-3-tonart-c064b1c141.html

Music

New showcase festival 'Glimps'

carlo — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:39:26 +0000

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On December 16 and 17, the city of Ghent will welcome the first edition of the brand new Glimps Festival, in 10 different locations. Glimps is an international showcase festival with a strong focus on European pop- and rock bands from the continent. The festival wants to direct people's attention to talented bands and artist from regions that rarely get a chance in the programme of most European clubs and festivals.

Glimps is open to professionals from the music industry as well as the music loving audience. A unique new festival and one of the music events to look forward to this season. Last but not least, Glimps wants to make its proper contribution to the internationalisation of the Belgian music industry.

The festival will be organized by Glimps vzw, a brand new structure, founded by three playmakers from the pop- and rock scene in Ghent: Democrazy, Keremos and Rockoco.

More info: http://www.glimpsgent.be/eng/

Music

La Monnaie elected ‘Opera House of the Year’

carlo — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:23:45 +0000

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La Monnaie has been elected Opera House of the Year by a group of international correspondents in the annual report of the Opernwelt 'Jahrbuch 2011' edition. Opernwelt, the German magazine devoted to opera is one of the most renowned publications on the world of opera.

Every year since 1994, at the end of the artistic season, a jury of 50 international critics elects the ‘Opera House of the Year’ (‘Opernhaus des Jahres’). The Jahrbuch asks cultural journalists to report on what they considered to be the best productions, creations, stage sets, decor, singers, orchestras and choirs of the opera season 2010-2011. It is, in this particular case not a question of being named once, twice or more by a certain number of journalists, (La Monnaie was named between 10 and 20 times in recent seasons) but the joint decision of the ,press who write for Opernwelt in the whole of Europe. It is also the first time, since the existence of the Jahrbuch, that a non-German opera house is given this award!

On top of this, La Monnaie has been given the Prize of the Best Production of the Year for Meyerbeer’s Les Huguenots (a production by Olivier Py and Marc Minkowski). La Monnaie has been named 42 times in all categories: aside from best opera house and best production of the year, it has also been bestowed with best choir, best orchestra, best stage setting...

www.demunt.be

Music

European Border Breakers Award for Selah Sue

carlo — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:54:47 +0000

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Since 2004, the European Border Breakers Awards celebrate the top new talents in European pop music. Among this year’s laureates is Selah Sue, praised as ‘more than just a girl with a guitar’.

To be eligible for the awards, the artists must have enjoyed border-breaking success with their first international release in Europe between 1 August 2010 and 31 July 2011. The winners are selected by music market analyst Nielsen Music on the basis of record sales and broadcast frequency and according to votes by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) radio stations and festivals participating in the European Talent Exchange Program (ETEP).

During the Eurosonic showcase festival on 11 January 2012, Selah Sue will receive her award in a televised ceremony hosted by TV personality and musician Jools Holland. Selah Sue released her untitled debut album earlier this year with the Parisian label Because Music, through record giant Warner. Former Belgian winners of the EBBA’s include Stromae (2011), Milow (2010), Born Crain (2008), Gabriel Rios (2007), Sarah Bettens (2006) en Lasgo (2004).

Other European winners this year are Elektro Guzzi (Austria), Agnes Obel (Denmark), Ben l'Oncle Soul (France), Boy (Germany), James Vincent McMorrow (Ireland), Afrojack (Netherlands), Alexandra Stan (Romania), Swedish House Mafia (Sweden) and Anna Calvi (UK).

From 1 November until 31 December, the public can vote for their favourite artist to win the ‘Public Choice Award’, an extra prize that was won by Milow during the first edition.

More info:
http://www.europeanborderbreakersawards.eu/

Music

Flemish artists on a campaign of conquest

carlo — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 10:10:35 +0000

Several international releases and tours for Flemish bands

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This summer, a dozen or so Flemish artists and bands will be playing at large and small festivals abroad. Triggerfinger, Scala, Antwerp Gipsy Ska Orkestra, dEUS and Selah Sue to name but a few, will be present at renown stages such as Sziget (Hungary), Latitude Festival (UK), North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands) and Cruïlla Festival (Spain).

Moreover, these international one-off performances only seem to herald yet bigger successes in the fall. Isbells, for instance, have planned a tour in Germany and Switzerland this autumn, following the release of their debut album by Haldern Pop Records. The band have also closed a deal with Rolcall Records which will be releasing the album in the USA.

The United States are also the next hurdle for Milow. He will shortly sign up with Red Light Management which also represents Ben Harper and Dave Matthews and owns a couple of festivals and labels. This will definitely put him in a strong starting position for conquering a new continent.
Flemish rock trio Triggerfinger, for their part, have planned an extensive tour in Europe in October, as the support-act for Within Temptation.

And it’s not only pop and rock bands that are widening their horizons. Michel Bisceglia Trio is preparing a new tour in Asia in October, while the Brussels Jazz Orchestra & Tutu Puoane will be performing at the Joy of Jazz Festival in Johannesburg, at the end of August, after winning a South African Music Award for ‘Best Traditional Jazz Album’ in May 2011.

More info & tour dates:

isbells.be
www.triggerfinger.net
www.milow.com
www.brusselsjazzorchestra.com
www.michelbisceglia.com
www.selahsue.com
www.deus.be

or check the Arts Flanders events calendar.

Music

Belgian Jazz Meeting 2011

carlo — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 13:29:16 +0000

Flanders and Wallonia join forces for the first edition of a new showcase festival

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From 2 till 4 September the Flemish and Walloon jazz scene will be joining forces for something totally new: the first Belgian Jazz Meeting. During this jazz three-day in Bruges, the best of Belgian jazz artists will be presenting themselves to an audience of national and international media and promoters.

The Belgian Jazz Meeting is a cooperation between arts centre De Werf, JazzLab Series, Flanders Music Centre, Jazz Together and Wallonie-Bruxelles Musiques.

About 50 international jazz organisers and journalists are invited get acquainted with the Belgian jazz scene. Twelve Belgian jazz groups, selected by a jury of jazz experts, will give a short performance to a public of international professionals. These showcases will hopefully convince foreign jazz promoters to offer Belgian bands a stage at their festival or jazz club.

Apart from the concerts, the Belgian Jazz Meeting also gives plenty opportunity for networking and exchanging knowhow. A Jazz Guide and a Belgian Jazz Compilation will serve as extra promotion tools.

The organisers of the Belgian Jazz Meeting aim to unite the jazz scenes of both parts of the country and put Belgian jazz firmly on the map of Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels and Europe. After three editions of a Flemish Jazz Meeting, the choice for a Belgian showcase festival was the logical next step. After all, for most jazz musicians there’s no such thing as a language boundary.

This first edition is an initiative of the original organisers of the Flemish Jazz Meeting. The next edition in 2013 will be organised by the Walloon partners.

The selected groups are:

Nicolas Kummert Voices
Rackham
Manuel Hermia Trio
Christian Mendoza group
Joachim Badenhorst
Collapse
Hamster Axis of the One-Click Panther
De Beren Gieren
Pascal Mohy Trio
Barcella / Van Herzeele duo
Rêve d’éléphant orchestra
Tuur Florizoone - Mixtuur

More info:

www.belgianjazzmeeting.be

Music

Belgian tenor surprises with second prize in Queen Elisabeth Competition

carlo — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 14:14:18 +0000

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The 29-year-old soprano Hong Haeran of South Korea has won the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Competition. This year's edition centred on song. The surprise came from the Belgian tenor Thomas Blondelle, who took the second prize. It's the best result ever for a Belgian participant in the voice competition.

The Korean soprano Hong Haeran took the first prize in the 7th voice competition, the Queen Fabiola Prize. Thomas Blondelle of Bruges clinched the second prize, the Belgian Federal Government Prize, with the Russian soprano Elena Galitskaya taking the Count De Launoit Prize in third place.

At 29 years of age, Hong was the oldest of the 12 finalists. She was able to convince the jury on Thursday night singing work of Massenet, Mozart, Ravel and Bellini.

When she heard that she had become the "first laureate", she could hardly hide her disbelief. However, Hong had been tipped as one of the favourites to win the contest, together with Galitskaya and Elizabeth Zharoff of the United States.

Just after it was announced that he took the second prize, the Bruges tenor Thomas Blondelle was still impressed by the circumstances. "My second place was a big surprise. You never know what the jury will take into account and what not.” "Now it's only just starting", he said about the future, referring to the platform his second prize will give him to perform in new concerts.

Music

Lieven Bertels new director for Sydney Festival

carlo — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 14:03:21 +0000

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Lieven Bertels, currently artistic director for Holland Festival, will soon be off to Sydney to lead one of the biggest festivals in the world. From 2013 on he will be directing three editions of the Sydney Festival.

Born in Belgium, Lieven Bertels studied Musicology in Belgium and Composition in the United Kingdom. Prior to Holland Festival, Bertels was Artistic Director of Concertgebouw Brugge, an arts centre presenting a broad range of art forms, including, during Bertels’ tenure, resident artists The Philharmonia London, violinist Viktoria Mullova, London Sinfonietta, Vladimir Ashkenazy, the DJ Eavesdropper and VJ Collective Visual Kitchen, alongside a selection of contemporary music, dance and theatre such as Bobby McFerrin, Sasha Waltz, Herbie Hancock and Tim Etchells.
Bertels’ earlier career includes work as a producer at Belgian National Cultural Radio Klara (focusing on jazz and youth audiences); Head of the Audio Department at the Brussels Film, Radio and TV School; and producing for record and radio companies including Decca, BMG Classics, Megadisc and BBC Scotland.

Support for Bertels comes from peers and artists alike. Renowned festival and former Sydney Festival Director Brett Sheehy said, “Lieven is a terrific choice for Sydney Festival. I have long-admired his work at Holland Festival and this is a very exciting appointment for Sydney.”

Mike Patton, frontman of the band Faith No More said, “My experiences have been nothing short of an amusement park! Thrilling, exciting, creative, surprising, and always a pleasure... you leave the ride with a shameless smile on your face! Lieven is fearless in his programming and presentations, with a fresh and musical energy and understanding that is rare among people in his position. His thirst and ultimate drive to make abstract ideas real is an inspiration.”

Musician and performance artist Laurie Anderson added: “The combination of the Sydney Festival and Lieven Bertels is electric, fantastic. He's a brilliant thinker and working with him in Bruges and Amsterdam was a great experience. Artists love working with Lieven. He has a unique ability to find the right audiences.”

“I’ve always been attracted to the unique mix of arts and entertainment that Sydney Festival offers. My mission is to bring the best and the boldest projects to Sydney’s streets and stages and I’m grateful for this wonderful opportunity to add exciting new pages to the Festival’s rich history,” said Bertels. My family and I are thrilled to be moving to Sydney and I’m very much looking forward to working with the Festival team.”

Music

Composition contest for young European film music composers

carlo — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 13:26:53 +0000

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Young European film music talent will have another chance to win the highly sought after SABAM Award For Best Young European Composer. This award was created by the World Soundtrack Academy and is worth €2500 and the live performance of the winning composition by the Brussels Philharmonic – the Orchestra of Flanders during the presentation of the World Soundtrack Awards on 22 October in the Kuipke in Ghent.

Candidates can follow in the footsteps of the Swedish Karzan Mahmood, last year’s winner, and countless other important composers who attended previous editions of the festival, such as Angelo Badalamenti, Dario Marianelli, Gustavo Santaolalla, Hans Zimmer, John Powell, Maurice Jarre, Howard Shore, Alberto Iglesias, Elliot Goldenthal and many others.

Candidates must be under 36 and will be asked to compose music for the short film Papillon d’Amour by Nicolas Provost. The composition must be submitted by 12 August. A professional jury made up of people from the film and music worlds, who also have international experience will judge the compositions.

Registrations will be accepted via www.worldsoundtrackacademy.com until 30 June 2011.

Tickets for the World Soundtrack Awards are available at www.filmfestival.be.

The competition rules can be found at www.worldsoundtrackacademy.com.

Registration information:Valerie Dobbelaere (tel. 00 32 9 242 80 74 - valerie@filmfestival.be)

Music

Flanders Opera invited by Edinburgh Festival

carlo — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:31:30 +0000

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For the first time in its history, Flanders Opera will perform at the prestigious Edinburgh International Festival. It will stage two performances of Semiramide. The Edinburgh Festival is one of the largest cultural events in the world and offers a mix of music, opera, dance and theatre performances, all from internationally renowned companies.

The Edinburgh Festival runs from 12 August until 4 September. Semiramide will be on stage on 25 and 27 August. Rossini’s opera, produced by Nigel Lowery and directed by Alberto Zedda has gained high national and international praise and was described by Opera Now as ‘pure bliss’. As was the case in Flanders, maestro Zedda will be conducting the Symphonic Orchestra and Choir of the Flemish Opera in Edinburgh. The rest of the cast and crew will also be travelling along.

Semiramide is an eastern tragedy presenting us with the infamous Semiramis, builder of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, who becomes entangled in the power machinations of her state, which comprises four peoples. Rossini wrote Semiramide in 1829 before moving to Paris. He was only 37 years old and it was his last great Italian opera. With musical sensitivity and sporadic exotic sounds, Rossini paints psychologically motivated coloraturas and ensembles. In Semiramide Rossini reaches the height of his creative operatic powers; none of his other opera scores are richer or more perfect.

More info and reservations:
vrienden@vlaamseopera.be
+ 32 3 202 10 77

Music

Asko|Schönberg invites Etienne Siebens as guest conductor

carlo — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:25:26 +0000

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Asko|Schönberg has attracted Etienne Siebens as their new guest music director. From the beginning of season 2012-2013, the Flemish Siebens will conduct, for three seasons, ten productions of Asko|Schönberg. He will also be involved in the artistic composition of these seasons.

Etienne Siebens studied orchestra direction under Lucas Vis, Hiroyuki Iwaki and Jorma Panula. He has directed numerous European orchestras and ensembles, such as Amsterdam Sinfonietta, Rotterdam Philharmonisch, Residentie Orkest, MusikFabrik Köln, Klangforum Wien, deFilharmonie (Royal Flemish Philharmonic) and Collegium Vocale Ghent. Etienne Siebens was the regular guest music director of the Brussels Philharmonic and from 1992 till 2009 he was the artistic leader and music director of the Prometheus Ensemble. Siebens was also the chief conductor of the Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen for six years, where he managed to put his personal stamp on the orchestra, through his bold music interpretations, as well as the accents that he placed on the music; giving the orchestra a considerable ‘boost’.

In the past, Asko|Schönberg and Etienne Siebens have worked together a number of times, and soon the ensemble will again perform under his baton. At the Holland Festival (June 19, 20 and 21) Asko|Schönberg will perform The Cricket Recovers by Richard Ayres, under the direction of Siebens, as directed by Pierre Audi. The position of Reinbert de Leeuw as the regular music director of the ensemble shall not change. He will account for a third of the concerts, which will leave the ensemble enough room to work with other guest music directors.

Music

Hervé Niquet becomes new chief-conductor of the Flemish Radio Choir

carlo — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 11:47:54 +0000

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From next season on, Hervé Niquet will be the new chief-conductor of the Flemish Radio Choir. Niquet will follow up Bo Holten, whose contract runs out at the end of this season. After the typical approach of Bo Holten who combined early with contemporary music, the Flemish Radio Choir will now be challenged by the flamboyant Hervé Niquet, who is known for his love of the French lyrical repertoire. Both singers and management are looking forward to this interesting cooperation.

Hervé Niquet and his acclaimed baroque orchestra Le Concert Spirituel have, in the meantime, become regular partners of the Flemish Radio Choir: for years they have been working together, with great mutual respect and appreciation.

Hervé Niquet: ‘Our cooperation has always been a joy for both parties. It’s about the pleasure of being together and the musical opportunities this creates. My aim is to conquer Europe together. Everyone should know that the Flemish Radio Choir is a true diamond.’

Furthermore, it was Niquet who described the choir some years ago as ‘one of the best choirs in Europe’. The recent and intensive cooperation between the Flemish Radio Choir and Brussels Philharmonic – the Flemish Radio Orchestra with Hervé Niquet and the Palazzetto Bru-Zane - resulted in the prestigious series at the ‘Prix de Rome’. Each time the focus is on one composer who wrote for the Prix de Rome. In the first two editions these were Claude Debussy and Camille Saint-Saëns.

In line with these projects, Hervé Niquet will also be guest conductor of the Brussels Philharmonic. He will set up a series of productions in which choir and orchestra will perform together on stage, with the emphasis on early romantic, vocal repertoire.

On April 15 and 17 Hervé Niquet will conduct Brussels Philharmonic – Flemish Radio Orchestra in Brussels and Venice. More info

From May 6 till 11 Niquet will be touring Flanders and Brussels with the Flemish Radio Choir. This tour will be concluded with a concert in Venice on May 12. More info

Music

Belgian representation at Jazzahead 2011

carlo — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 15:05:25 +0000

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From April 28 till May 1st, a new edition of Jazzahead will take place in Bremen, Germany. It is the main annual event for jazz professionals and enthusiasts from Europe and the rest of the world.

Jazzahead is the only international music fair that focuses entirely on jazz – mainly European jazz. The programme includes concerts, showcases, round-table conferences, lectures,…

There will also be an exhibition with CD’s, music scores, media and all sorts of organisations that support jazz. In spite of the outburst of the Icelandic volcano last year, Jazzahead welcomed 276 exhibitors from 23 countries, 1500 professionals and 3200 visitors.

As in previous years Flanders Music Centre will join forces with WBM (Wallonie Bruxelles Musiques) for a stand at the exhibition that will function as meeting place and a window on jazz from Belgium. In this way Flanders Music Centre and WBM aim to facilitate, enforce, and create a positive image and atmosphere regarding the Belgian music scene.

More info: www.jazzahead.de

Music

Brussels concert hall among the best

carlo — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 14:07:17 +0000

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The Brussels concert hall Ancienne Belgique (AB) has something to celebrate. The venue in the heart of our capital city has been given third place in the top 100 of concert venues published by the global concert industry magazine Pollstar. The top 100 is based on the number of tickets sold by each venue.

Although the Ancienne Belgique is small compared with venues such as Wembley Arena or Madison Square Garden, the sheer number of concerts organised there means that visitor numbers at the AB are particularly high.

The Ancienne Belgique is the only European venue in the top ten.

However, some venues fail to pass on (all of) their concert attendance statistics, so it’s possible that one or more other venues had more visitors than the AB. Most of the venues listed in the top 100 are in the United States. The numbers one and two are in New York and Washington DC respectively.

More than 300,000 music-lovers found their way to the Ancienne Belgique in 2010. This is the largest annual attendance figure since the Flemish authorities reopened the renovated concert hall in 1980. Included in the figures are not only paying visitors, but also those that attended one of the AB’s numerous free cultural events.

Music

Young blood triumphs at the MIA's

carlo — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 13:59:04 +0000

Awards for The Black Box Revelation, Goose, Stromae, Balthazar en Selah Sue

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The results of the Music Industry Awards leave little room for doubt; in 2010 a new generation of artists has finally claimed its place in the Flemish music scene. With awards for The Black Box Revelation, Goose, Stromae, Balthazar and Selah Sue new talents were put in the spotlight. But also established artists could count on the approval of the public.

The Black Box Revelation confirmed with a MIA for best Rock/Alternative and was chosen as best Live Act for the second year in a row. Goose beat Regi in the category Dance/Electronic and snapped up the award for best Artwork for Synrise. Brussels-based Stromae, who had a major hit with ‘Alors on danse’ the previous year, was awarded by the music sector with a MIA for Breakthrough of the year. The music sector again awarded Applause by Balthazar with a MIA for best Album, surprisingly giving the go-by to big names like Ozark Henry, Admiral Freebee and Bart Peeters. Selah Sue finally, made way with the public award for best Female Solo Artist.

In the category of Best Band it was Triggerfinger that bore away the palm. This was probably partly due to their drummer Mario Goossens, who was awarded by the music sector with a MIA for best musician. Daan was chosen as best male Solo Artist, while Ozark Henry was among the winners with a MIA for best Pop Artist. Zornik secured the prize for best Music Video and last but not least, Jef Neve was awarded by the music sector with a MIA for best Author/Composer of 2010.

The MIA for Hit of the year was chosen by the viewers of the television show on the public channel. They got the final say by televoting, and rewarded Stromae with a second MIA for ‘Alors on danse’.

Winners public awards:
• Band: Triggerfinger
• Rock/Alternative: The Black Box Revelation
• Pop: Ozark Henry
• Dance/Elektronics: Goose
• Dutch language: Bart Peeters
• Popular: Will Tura
• Kids Pop: Kapitein Winokio
• Live act: The Black Box Revelation
• Solo Artist (male) Man: Daan
• Solo Artist (female): Selah Sue
• Videoclip: Zornik (The Enemy)
• Hit of the year: Stromae (Alors on danse)

Winners music sector awards:
• Album: Balthazar (Applause)
• Artwork: Goose (Synrise)
• Author/Composer: Jef Neve
• Musician: Mario Goossens
• Breakthrough: Stromae

Music

MuzeMuse: a new cross-border network

carlo — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 10:53:08 +0000

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The cross-border region of West Flanders – Nord-Pas de Calais has a lively cultural life. In the past decade a whole range of cultural players found each other in cross-border cooperation. Cooperation in the area of classical and contemporary music, however, has been rather scarce.

Therefore, three northern-French organisations and four Flemish organisations joined forces: Opéra de Lille, Théâtre d'Arras, Orchestre national de Lille, Concertgebouw Brugge, Festival van Vlaanderen Brugge - MAfestival, Happy New Festival van Vlaanderen Kortrijk en Culture Centre Kortrijk.

The regular meetings of these seven houses have resulted in the start-up of a new, organically grown, cross-border network for the support and promotion of classical and contemporary music: MuzeMuse!

MuzeMuse will organise its activities around four major objectives:
1. Sharing expertise: regular contacts between staff members to get to know each other better, to learn from each other and to enhance the respective networks;
2. Cross-border magazine;
3. 5 Momentums: five artistic ‘key moments’ that get special focus and extra attention in the new magazine. All partners will be able to plug into these Momentums, thus creating cross-border, thematic projects;
4. Mobile communication: about 15 times a year MuzeMuse will be present at important happenings in the region; the ideal way to promote the programmes of the partners among a wide cross-border public.

More info:

www.concertgebouw.be
www.festivalkortrijk.be
www.mafestival.be
www.opera-lille.fr
www.theatredarras.com
www.onlille.com
www.cultuurcentrumkortrijk.be

Music

Career achievement award for pianist Jozef De Beenhouwer

carlo — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 16:47:55 +0000

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On 29 November, 2010, internationally renowned pianist Jozef De Beenhouwer was awarded with the Klara-career achievement prize. The Klaras are awards for the Flemish classical music sector. Klara, the classical music radio station and Flanders Music Centre put together a longlist. A jury of specialists subsequently shortlisted 3 artists in each category. The final winners were decided on after a poll among the classical music scene.

The winners were announced during the ‘States-General of Classical Music’, the annual network event for composers, musicians, publishers, students, musicologists etc. organized by Flanders Music Centre. Other award winners are: Benjamin Glorieux (promising talent), Transit Festival (music event), Roel Dieltiens (CD), Jan Caeyers (music personality), Jan Vermeulen (musician).

Jozef De Beenhouwer, excellent musician and Schumann specialist, succeeded in restructuring Schumann's unfinished Concertsatz in D minor and having it created by the Wiener Symphoniker in 1986. His efforts for the work of Robert and Clara Schumann resulted in winning the Robert-Schumann-Preis der Stadt Zwickau in 1993.

Music

‘Belgium booms’ @ Eurosonic 2011

carlo — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:59:06 +0000

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In line with previous years the Belgian music scene will again be strongly represented at Eurosonic Noorderslag 2011. This yearly showcase festival in Groningen, The Netherlands, is one of the most important in Europe. On 12, 13 and 14 January, no fewer than 19 Belgian acts will give their best on several stages throughout the city. Reason enough for Flanders Music Centre and WBM (Wallonie-Bruxelles Musiques) to join forces and support the selected Belgian bands with a ‘booming’ promotional campaign.

The showcase festival is dedicated mainly to new European talent: the most promising acts in their homeland but often unknown beyond their borders. The list of nominated Belgian acts includes names such as Absynthe Minded, Balthazar, Broken Glass Heroes, Drums are for Parades, Goose, Kiss the Anus of a Black Cat, Lyenn, Marble Sounds, Selah Sue, Stromae, Styrofoam (dj), The Bear that wasn't, The Sore Losers, The Van Jets and Wallace Vanborn.

As usual, Eurosonic Noorderslag also includes a conference, offering a platform for the European and Dutch music industry and encouraging the exchange of ideas within the sector. With 3,000 music professionals and over 150 panels, keynote speeches, awards shows, discussions and presentations on the status quo of the national and international music industry, the conference offers a business platform for the European music market.

www.eurosonic-noorderslag.nl
From 12 to 15 January 2011

Music

International competition Musica Antiqua

carlo — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:31:52 +0000

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Since 1964 the Flanders Festival Bruges has been organizing the famous International Contests "Musica Antiqua". The contest is open to young, highly qualified performers from all over the world, who specialize in the historically informed performance practice. The purpose is not to stress the element of competition but rather to stimulate the highest level of execution. Young performers are confronted with their peers, with their masters and with the public.

Since 2008, MAfestival offers the winner(s), besides a cheque, a concert as part of the next MAfestival and a series of concerts in close collaboration with a number of important international organisations. For 2010, harpsichord and pianoforte were on the program. The winner of the pianoforte contest was Petra Somlai. Kazuya Gunji and Maxim Emelyanychev shared a second prize for harpsichord.

In 2011, the competition for traverso, baroque violin, baroque cello and viola da gamba will take place between 6th and 14th of August. Jan De Winne, Vittorio Ghielmi, Johan Huys, Anton Steck and Rainer Zipperling will be members of the jury.

More information, competition regulations and application form can be found at www.mafestival.be.

Contact
competitions@MAfestival.be
+ 32 (0) 50 33 22 83.

Music