Johann Sebastian Bach wrote most of his six motets (BWV 225-230) in the 1720s during his stay in Leipzig. By that time the motet tradition was about five hundred years old, but it was not until the 16th century that the motet gained a central place in religious music. Bachs motets were usually performed a cappella during funerals or vespers. They belong among his most accomplished works and are considered an absolute climax of western polyphony.

The vocal ensemble Sette Voci, founded in 2001, is led by the renowned Dutch baritone Peter Kooij. The eight superb singers of Sette Voci, each with rich experience of ensemble singing, offer an extremely pure and genuine version of Bachs motets that will not leave you unmoved.

17 March, 2016 21:00 -- amuz

AMUZ is delighted to present the rising star of the harpsichord heavens: the young Frenchman Jean Rondeau, who has already received international acclaim for his interpretations of Baroque repertoire. The jury of the international harpsichord competition in Bruges were full of praise for his lively, fascinating and dynamic virtuosity and his phrasing that nourishes and refreshes the drama.

J.S. Bach experimented with various musical styles in his works for keyboard. When he took up his position in Köthen in 1717, the Calvinist context meant that he had to focus on secular music. He did not compose the English and French suites merely as chamber music, but also as an educational suite of successive dances. These dances are not written in a specifically English or French style and are mainly intended to stimulate the joy of playing. Although Partita no. 4 and the Italiaans Concerto come from Bachs series of Clavierübungen, they are anything but easy little studies for beginners. Jean Rondeau goes all out for these great works of virtuoso keyboard music.

18 March, 2016 21:00 -- amuz

Enjoy a delicious Easter buffet in the concert hall and let yourself be surprised by an unusual performance of Handels Messiah. The Swedish ensemble Odd Size looks beyond the boundaries of clean perfection to find the playfulness, humour and grooviness in their performances. The four musicians will treat you to Handels Messiah for four during the Easter brunch. They will play highlights from this famous classic in their own, idiosyncratic way, spiced up with jazzy schwung and plenty of humour. Advance reservation required.

Brunch buffet
Reception with a glass of cava or freshly squeezed orange juice | Red & white wine, water, coffee and tea available throughout | Assorted oven-fresh bread | Selection of fine cheeses
& charcuterie | Sweet & savoury toppings | Extensive salad bar | Hot buffet including fillets of sole in white wine sauce, asparagus and salmon quiche etc. | Cheese dish with brioche | Variety of sweet desserts

Practical information
11.30 Aperitif followed by the buffet | 13.45 Part One of Messiah for four | 14.20 Dessert | 15.00 Part Two of Messiah for four

20 March, 2016 11:30 -- amuz

Lagrime di San Pietro is a poem by the 16th century soldier and poet Luigi Tansillo. It would take him until his death in 1568 to write this poem: it has an impressive 1277 verses, with themes including betrayal and unfaithfulness opposed to regret and repentance as well as old age and a longing for death. Lassus musical interpretation of Tansillos work is masterly. His composition consists of twenty sacred madrigals and a motet, with a verse from Tansillos poem for each madrigal. The closing motet is in Latin. It is the longest work he ever wrote: an hours worth of pure counterpoint. Lassus dedicated his work to Pope Clement VIII and wrote in the introduction: For my exceptional devotion now that I am in the winter of my life.

The German musicologist Einstein has compared Lagrime di San Pietro to Bachs Musikalisches Opfer and Die Kunst der Fuge in terms of its craftsmanship, scope and restraint. The performance by Philippe Herreweghe and his Collegium Vocale promises to be a world-class concert.

22 April, 2016 21:00 -- amuz

Mediaeval Cyprus, at the crossroads of European, Asian and African culture, developed its own rich and complex musical style that was clearly influenced by ars subtilior. With the Cypriot O Antiphons, religious motets, not part of the mass text, whose words always begin with the letter O, Huelgas Ensemble treats you to unique polyphony from the unusual manuscript J.II.9 (Turin).

19 August, 2016 20:00 -- st-pauluskerk

The International Young Artists Presentation (IYAP) gives young vocal and instrumental artists focusing on historical performance practice a foothold in the international music scene. The artists and ensembles selected in 2016 will be intensively coached and mentored by Peter Van Heyghen and Raquel Andueza. Discover the IYAP ensembles selected in 2016 during a unique concert walk in Borgerhout.

Starting point: Theater Troubleyn

20 August, 2016 10:00 -- amuz