Ensemble Masques has examined Bachs roots and created a programme of his work combined with that of a few composers from the period of rich music before him, such as Biber, Rosenmüller and Schmelzer. J. Rosenmüller worked as an organist in Leipzig and later as a trombonist and composer in Venice. During his stay in Italy, he was one of the most famous composers to embody the synthesis of the German and Italian styles of music. J.H. Schmelzer, an Austrian violinist and influential composer, made substantial contributions to the improvement of violin technique and promoted the use and further development of the sonata and suite forms. H.I.F. von Biber would become one of Schmelzers most famous pupils.

The particular chemistry between the six young, brilliant musicians of Ensemble Masques results in a spontaneity and freedom that brings the 17th and 18th century repertoire back to life with considerable vivacity. We look forward to seeing Sophie Gent back on stage at AMUZ with an ensemble that is close to her heart.

07 February, 2016 15:00 -- amuz

AMUZ, HERMESensemble and De Veerman undertake a joint venture concerning the question: how does the future sound? Composers Bram Van Camp and Hanne Deneire serve again as coaches for this initiative, inviting youngsters between twelve and twenty to submit their compositions for ensemble. The most interesting works from each age category will be performed during this concert by the professional musicians of the HERMES- ensemble. Such an exercise can result in splendid achievements, witness the previous editions of The times they are a-changin. Be a witness yourself this year!

14 February, 2016 15:00 -- amuz

During the musical project weeks organised by AMUZ and De Veerman, children in Year 5 and 6 discover music, musical forms and structures. They are encouraged to create their own music compositions using various musical parameters.

String trios by Beethoven and other compositions for three instruments or voices formed the starting point for their musical journey during this project week. They will perform their compositions for you at this presentation with justified pride.

19 February, 2016 14:00 -- amuz

As a young man, Beethoven proudly presented his String Trios, opus 9 as the best of my work, although he had no way of knowing that his quartets would be what really revolutionised string music. This concert guides you through Beethovens artistic growth from the six-part String Trio No. 1 in E flat major, which still bears traces of Mozarts Divertimento, KV 563, to the radiantly sunny Trio in G to the Trio in C minor. In the last of these pieces, the stormy tension of the String Quartet op. 18 No. 4 is already brewing in the highly dramatic key of C minor that was to prove so crucial to Beethovens work. Far from mere juvenilia, these are works with a complex, sophisticated form and great melodic richness.

It is clear why Beethovens biographer Wilhelm von Lenz described the creation of these pieces as a moment of Raphaelesque inspiration for the Michelangelo of instrumental music. Such impassioned scores demand fiery performers: with Roel Dieltiens, Anna- Katharina Schreiber & Daniel Sepec before you, an evening of abundant auditory pleasure awaits.

19 February, 2016 21:00 -- amuz

The four young members of Quatuor Cambini came together in a shared love of early instruments, a passion for exploring unusual, almost forgotten scores and a concern for great technical skill and refinement in their performance of these scores. A quartet turned out to be the best way to bring their musical tastes into harmony.

Naming their quartet after Giuseppe Maria Cambini (1746-1825), an adventurous violinist and productive composer, was a way for the musicians to show their interest in the stylistic variety offered by the Classical and (Early) Romantic periods. Since it was founded in 2007, the ensemble has met with acclaim for its performance of masterpieces by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and Mendelssohn and its rediscovery of undeservedly forgotten French composers such as Jadin, David and Gouvy. This performance of string quartets by Haydn, Jadin and Mozart will be their first concert at AMUZ.

21 February, 2016 15:00 -- amuz

The Belgian ensemble Tetra Lyre, known for its intelligent, driven interpretations, will open WIENinPRIMETIME with early work by Strauss and Mahler: two Viennese composers whom it is absolutely impossible to ignore. Strauss would go on write operatic history with Viennese author Hugo Von Hoffmansthal in the form of Elektra, Die Frau ohne Schatten and Der Rosenkavalier, but he learned the tricks of his trade as a teenager by writing chamber music. His Cello Sonata, dating from 1881, is a jewel of late Romanticism, coaxing all the virtuosity and lyricism out of the cello. His 1885 piano quartet, influenced by Brahms, is a piece he continued to perform on stage himself throughout his entire career.

The Piano Quartet in a is the only work that remains from Mahlers time as a student at the Vienna Conservatory. Brahms was a shining example to Mahler as well, although principles typical of Mahler, such as a central motif that can be heard throughout the quartet, already come to the fore in this early piece.

03 March, 2016 21:00 -- amuz