No one can match Céline Scheen in capturing the essence of French baroque: rich imagery, sensitive poetry on treacherously simple melodies. One could easily be tricked into forgetting how complex the puzzle is for which composers such as Besard, Hotman, Gaultier and Dubuisson found such an elegant solution afterwards. You will hear a selection of airs de cour, marvellous tunes from the early baroque period.

Eduardo Egüez and Philippe Pierlot accompany the young Belgian soprano on stage. The result is a tender ode to stillness. This programme was aptly entitled Amarante, which means ‘little singing finch’. An unexpected presence on the list of French composers on the programme is that of Constantijn Huygens. He too was inspired by the French poetry that he knew very well due to his international contacts.

I.c.w. Organisatie Oude Muziek

Performers
Céline Scheen, soprano | Eduardo Egüez, lute & theorbo | Philippe Pierlot, viol & artistic direction

Programme
Work by Jean-Baptiste Besard, Nicolas Hotman, Constantijn Huygens e.a.

 

21 February, 2013 20:00 -- AMUZ

School children from the third grade are invited to get steeped for five days in the music of the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. Like Pärt, they learn how to love every single note, discovering in the process that silence is as important as sound when writing music. Furthermore the children are challenged themselves to prove their mettle as composers. This presentation moment is the result of their intense music week at AMUZ.

I.c.w. De Veerman & HERMESensemble

22 February, 2013 13:00 -- AMUZ

School children from the third grade are invited to get steeped for five days in the music of the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. Like Pärt, they learn how to love every single note, discovering in the process that silence is as important as sound when writing music. Furthermore the children are challenged themselves to prove their mettle as composers. This presentation moment is the result of their intense music week at AMUZ.

I.c.w. De Veerman & HERMESensemble

22 February, 2013 13:00 -- AMUZ

“I have to concentrate on every sound, thus making every blade of grass as important as a flower”: Arvo Pärt is the master of the purified sound of the provocative simplicity. Abandon yourself to the vastness of Pärt’s  Stabat Mater, Trivium and Sarah Was Ninety Years Old, and feel the cleansing effect after this unique concert experience!

As a member of the so-called ‘God Squad’ Pärt looks for something else than the impersonal and strongly systematized music of his contemporaries. Pärt’s work expresses deep emotions and is rooted in faith. Because religious music was forbidden under the Soviet regime, the original title of Sarah Was Ninety Years Old was Modus. Yet the composition was grafted onto the Old Testament. A live performance of this epic work is a nearly mystic experience, a spiritual island in a world that keeps racing ahead.

Performers
Els Crommen, soprano | Kristien Roels, violin | Kris Matthynssens, viola | Pieter Stas, violoncello | Barnabás Hegyi, counter tenor | Olivier Berten, tenor | Peter De Laurentiis, tenor | Bart Jacobs, organ | Gaetan La Mela, percussion

Programme
Arvo Pärt: Trivium voor orgel, Sarah was ninety years old, Stabat mater

22 February, 2013 20:00 -- O.L.V.-Kathedraal

The Estonian Chamber Choir is a leading light and one of choirs that is most in demand worldwide. Their sound has been described in the press as “pure silver, light, flexible, and capable of creating a sparkling atmosphere.” As a compatriot Arvo Pärt gets pride of place on the agenda of these singers. Their album Da Pacem with works by this composer secured in 2007 the Grammy for the best choral performance!

Since 2008 the choir has been under the baton of Dutch conductor Daniel Reuss. He selected for this concert a number of works by Pärt particularly cherished by the choir. Kanon Pokajanen was even written especially for this group by Pärt and is based on the sixthcentury hymns that resounded at sunrise in eastern monasteries. If you want to hear this serene choral music as Pärt intended it, is well-advised to attend this concert by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir!

Performer
Daniel Reuss, artistic direction

Programme
Arvo Pärt: Magnificat – Da Pacem Domine – Nunc dimittis – Dopo la vittoria – Selection from Kanon Pokajanen –

23 February, 2013 20:00 -- AMUZ

Hearing Arvo Pärt talking about his music, one does not only gain new insights into his compositions, but concurrently also learns a lot about the sensitive method of the composer. In 24 Preludes for a Fugue Pärt’s music and his daily life constantly flow into each other. Dorian Supin followed the man for five years and collected interviews, images of rehearsals, premieres and seminars.

The style of this documentary is entirely grafted onto that of the composer, developing fragmentarily and slowly. Pärt is charismatic and inspiring when he talks about his characteristic triads which “form such a heart-rending unity that the soul would like to sing them eternally.” If you want to experience PÄRTinPRIMETIME adequately, be sure to take in this film portrait in depth. Breakfast is included in the ticket price. Spoken in Estonian with English subtitles.

I.c.w. Cinema Zuid

24 February, 2013 09:00 -- Cinema Zuid