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Il Fondamento

Although Johann Sebastian Bach never visited Italy, he was nonetheless in keeping with the German tradition decisively influenced by Italian and French style elements. Like Georg Philipp Telemann Bach is even a master in fusing those two styles, thus creating the socalled German style. In this context it was considered as absolutely normal and even as a homage to transcribe compositions by Italian colleagues for other instruments. Thus Bach adapted Alessandro Marcello’s oboe concerto to a concerto for harpsichord, and the concerto in A minor for two violins by Vivaldi to a piece for organ. The original Italian works are juxtaposed with the Brandenburg Concertos nr 1 and 2, aligning themselves with the same Italian tradition by, among other elements, their sequence of fast-slow-fast movements. The ensemble Il Fondamento, founded in 1989, has been developing in the course of the years a generous and transparent orchestral sound, with Paul Dombrecht’s acclaimed baroque oboe as its pivot. Even with well-known reprtoire on the programme these musicians guarantee a unique sound colour and refreshing performances!
 
Performers
Paul Dombrecht, oboe & artistic direction

 
11 December, 2011 14:00 -- AMUZ

AMUZ-Consort

What kind of music could Rubens hear through the windows of his artist’s studio? What did he hear while taking walks downtown? And what kind of repertoire could have resounded at concerts or official occasions that Rubens attended? Peter Van Heyghen, Jurgen De bruyn and Thomas Baeté, as repositories of the best AMUZ tradition, gleefully take advantage of this opportunity to look into these questions and to answer them by offering a genuine ‘Rubensian’ concert programme. Assisted by a vocal-instrumental consortium assembled especially for this concert, they select from the enormous thesaurus of polyphonic music from Rubens’ epoch some sacred and profane works for diverse strengths. 
 
This concert starts at 7 p.m. with an introduction on the theme Rubens and Antwerp (Dutch spoken). You will also receive an entry ticket that admits to the prestigious exhibition Palazzo Rubens: the Master as Architect (untill 11 December 2011).
 
Performers
Peter Van Heyghen, recorders | Jurgen De bruyn, lute | Kris Verhelst, harpsichord & organ
15 December, 2011 18:00 -- Rubenshuis

Currende

Géry de Ghersem, a native of Tournai, is a great unknown one in the world of music. Although the library of the Portuguese king João IV at the beginning of the 17th century held more than 280 manuscripts by de Ghersem, today only one single complete composition of his is known: the Missa Ave Virgo Sanctissima. This seven-part mass was dedicated in 1598 to king Philip III and printed by Johannes Flandrum, a Fleming who was working at the Spanish court. De Ghersem’s mass will be completed in this attractive Christmas concert with works by Francesco Guerrero, Pieter Cornet, Philippe Rogier and Peter Philips, all of them contemporaries of de Ghersem. Interestingly, you will hear a five-part motet Ave Virgo Sanctissima by Francesco Guerrero that provided the point of departure for de Ghersem’s mass. 
 
Performers
Erik Van Nevel, artistic direction
18 December, 2011 14:00 -- AMUZ

Dez Mona feat. BOX

In recent years Antwerp based Dez Mona have made a name for themselves in Belgium and beyond. They’re known for their acoustic music based on a combination of jazz, gospel, tango and torch songs, but it’s Gregory Frateur’s mind-blowing vocal abilities that really deliver the goods. These days however, the collective have come up with a surprising new project. ‘Sága’ stands midway between a modern opera and a song cycle, and deals with ‘homecoming’ as its main theme. The songs emanate from the continuous search for ideal geographical and spiritual surroundings. By looking into the past, Dez Mona try to explain the current state of affairs. But more than anything, their latest work is a poetic reflection on what is happening here and now.

‘Sága’ springs from an alliance with BOX, a classically trained ensemble that almost exclusively makes use of baroque instruments. The latter yield sounds and textures seldomly heard in contemporary popular music. But even though the harpsichord, viola da gamba, baroque harp and theorbe (a lute like, stringed instrument) play a prominent role in the songs, to most listeners Dez Mona’s musical universe will remain familiar.

This charity concert is organised by AMUZ. All funds raised will go to Music For Life 2011. Sága is a coproduction between deSingel, KlaraFestival & Operadagen Rotterdam.

20 December, 2011 20:00 -- AMUZ

Per Flauto

At the beginning of the 18th century London was an important cultural centre attracting musicians from all the corners of the world. Performers played in full swing, contributing to the ambiance of concert life, and composers had their works performed or printed there. Thus for example Georg Friedrich Händel from Germany, Francesco Mancini and Arcangelo Corelli from Italy, Charles Dieupart from France and John Loeillet, a native of Ghent. From this melting pot Per Flauto distilled a varied programme with a cast that was very popular in London, namely recorder, harpsichord and viol. Many musicians who played in orchestras used to perform besides in chamber music ensembles during the intermezzos of theatre and opera performances, or in concerts that were organized separately. Their example created an enormous market of amateurs who were eagerly searching for scores. All this industry resulted in a rich literature: enough materials for an opulent baroque concert in intimate strength!

Performers
Nicholas Milne, viol | Herman Stinders, harpsichord | Bart Coen, recorder & artistic direction

Programme
Georg Friedrich Händel, Francesco Mancini, Arcangelo Corelli, John Loeillet, Andrew Parcham & Charles Dieupart

08 January, 2012 14:00 -- AMUZ

Brody Neuenschwander & Zefiro Torna

Zefiro Torna’s latest production of music theatre Shadows is inspired by the liturgical tradition of the tenebrae for Holy Week. This ritual happens before sunrise in a chapel illuminated only by thirteen candles. As the break of day approaches, the candles are extinguished one by one. They are the symbols of the apostles who deserted Christ immediately before his death. At dawn the morning light takes over again, reminding us of the resurrection of Christ and the coming of spring. Shadows embarks on a quest for the interior, emotional aspect of the play of shadows. Music by Jeroen D’hoe (laureate of the Queen Elisabeth Competition for composition in 2003) and a live performance of calligrapher Brody Neuenschwander (noted for his collaboration with film director Peter Greenaway) combine into a lyrical meditation about transience. An intriguing performance about light, darkness and all shades in between.

Performers
Brody Neuenschwander, live calligraphy | Griet De Geyter, soprano & percussion | Els Van Laethem, soprano, percussion & tromba marina | Benjamin Glorieux, cello | Jurgen De bruyn, lute, theorbo, voice & artistic direction | Jeroen D’hoe, composition & libretto | Tom Hannes, mis-en-scène (commissioned by Festival van Vlaanderen Mechelen)

14 January, 2012 20:00 -- AMUZ