The brothers Pablo, Daniel and Aarón Zapico belong to a young generation of outstanding musicians from Spain, boasting a considerable track record: with their ensemble Forma Antiqva they have already toured throughout the world. During an exclusive concert at the Rubens House they play 17th- and 18th-century dance music from their country. These baroque sounds on harpsichord and plucked string instruments will transport you to the mild South in the blink of an eye.

The fandango is a dance that originated with the black population of America, but in the 18th century it was also popular in Spain. Like the chaconne, it was maligned as voluptuous and immoral, albeit without interfering at all with its popularity. Forma Antiqva’s selection includes a fandango by Domenico Scarlatti: Italian by birth, but also claimed by Spain! Scarlatti apparently liked this situation – witness his long stay in that country, and generous portions of his oeuvre that are steeped in Spanish folklore.

I.c.w. Rubenshuis

Performers
Pablo Zapico, baroque guitar | Daniel Zapico, theorbo | Aarón Zapico, harpsichord

18 October, 2012 17:00 -- Rubenshuis

At the apex of his career François Couperin was regarded as a keyboard composer without peers. He was inundated with praise, also by his colleague composers. His four volumes of harpsichord music, published in Paris, were very much appreciated by Johann Sebastian Bach! Andreas Staier – the virtuoso artist in residence at AMUZ – brings both great masters into the limelight.

In Bach’s well-known Notenbüchlein, which he composed for his second wife Anna Magdalena, we find for that matter a work by Couperin: Les Bergeries. Allegedly there may have been correspondence between the composers as well, but if this was the case, it must unfortunately have been lost – possibly by its being used with a view to closing jam-jars! Whatever may have happened, fact is that in this recital Staier will let the composers engage in a lively dialogue through their brilliant music.

Performer
Andreas Staier, harpsichord

As artist in residence, Andreas Staier brings 3 concerts in AMUZ this season:
– 01/02/13 with Georg Nigl | lieder by Schumann & Schubert
– o22/03/13 | Pour passer la Mélancholie

19 October, 2012 19:00 -- AMUZ

Hildegard von Bingen still fires our imagination as one the most exceptional personalities of the Middle Ages. This concert will make it perfectly clear why this is so. Hildegard’s spiritual songs, sung on the basis of the original medieval notation, will prove that they have not lost any of their power in the course of all those centuries. 

Hildegard’s life’s work, encompassing medicine, mystic theology and art has been rediscovered and appreciated again only recently. Her musical oeuvre will be taken care of impeccably by Sabine Lutzenberger, a fixture at the Huelgas Ensemble, and reputable for her accurate and crystal-clear voice. Her accompanist Baptiste Romain takes his cue from traditional music and jazz in his search for new ideas for the historically informed performance of early music such as Hildegard’s. 

I.c.w. Organisatie Oude Muziek

Performers
Sabine Lutzenberger, voice | Baptiste Romain, fiddle, bells, bagpipe
 

Audio fragment: Improvisationen über Hildegard von Bingen „In prinzipio“ 

21 October, 2012 13:00 -- AMUZ

During a whole week school children from the third grade get going with one of the supreme works of early polyphony: the Messe de Notre Dame by Guillaume de Machaut. They learn about the structure of the work and about its somewhat mysterious composer. Finally to cap it all, the children are challenged to compose themselves. This presentation moment is the result of their intense music week at AMUZ.

I.c.w. De Veerman & Psallentes

26 October, 2012 12:00 -- AMUZ

On four Fridays throughout the season you are welcome to join us for dinner in the AMUZ foyer before the evening concert. Four Fridays, four concerts, four national cuisines which can be connected to the artists or the music of that evening … Dinner will be served on the following days at 6.00 p.m. Afterwards you can attend the evening concert.

On the occasion of the concert with the belgian ensemble Psallentes, Gardeville offers you a Belgian menu.

First course: tomato cream soup with meat balls
Main course: waterzooi chicken casserole OR rolled ham slices with endive chicory in the oven.

Here you find an overview of all brunch and dinner concerts.

26 October, 2012 16:00 -- AMUZ

Psallentes is an ensemble of professional voices that is seeking the essence of Gregorian chant throughout the ages. With this concert the group get their teeth into the 14th-century Messe de Notre Dame, the finest jewel in the crown of early polyphony. The composer of this Mass is Guillaume de Machaut, a somewhat mysterious musician, but without any doubt a man of genius.

The Messe de Notre Dame is famous for more than one reason. The monumental work is a milestone in the history of polyphony, and one of the oldest known settings, completely in four parts, of the ordinary songs of the Christian Mass. For this occasion conductor Hendrik Vanden Abeele puts the work in a somewhat exceptional framework. As a matter of fact the whole is not rounded out by the traditional songs of the proprium, but by carefully chosen choral prayers and melodies in honour of Mary.

Performers
Hendrik Vanden Abeele, artistic direction

26 October, 2012 19:00 -- AMUZ