The sixth peace concert organised by AMUZ and Vredescentrum Antwerpen is an intimate commemoration of The Great War. In The Great War, the young musicians of the ensemble Revue Blanche present a programme of compositions written during the First World War. Composers had their own ways of dealing with the difficulties of life under occupation and the grim reality of the front. Some never wrote another note, but others found sustenance in music and an outlet for many contradictory emotions. From among these personal testimo- nials, Revue Blanche has chosen poignant songs by Ivor Gurney (In Flanders, Sleep), Hans Eisler, Enrique Granados and others, and instrumental pieces by Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel. The young composer Frederik Neyrinck has adapted the music for the unusual combination of flute, viola and harp. Stefan Hertmans will read from his award-winning novel Oorlog en Terpentijn, based on the diaries of his grandfather who fought at the front.

11 November, 2015 21:00 -- amuz

Schubertiads were informal gatherings at which Schubert and his composer, writer or artist friends got together to make music and chat, often until late at night. In fact Schubert presented many of his compositions for the first time to his friends, at a coffee house or in his own parlour. Jos van Immerseel has come up with something similar, inviting musician friends to play a tribute to the Viennese master, within the context of his celebrations Happy Birthday Jos!. They will play the famous Trout Quintet D 667 and the Andante from the Trio in E flat major D 929. With her warm voice and understated interpretations, the Norwegian mezzo-soprano Marianne Beate Kielland is the ideal person to sing Schuberts lieder. In Du liebst mich nicht, Der Tod und das Mädchen and An Silvia, she gives voice to the typical Romantic emotions of hopeless love, awe at the abundance of nature and fear of death ordained by fate.

12 November, 2015 21:00 -- amuz

Musicologist, composer and conductor Peter Pontvik travelled to Ecuador in 2006 with his fellow musicians Julio Bueno and Pablo Guerrero to study the countrys musical heritage. In the city of Ibarra, high in the Andes, he discovered a manuscript kept by the sisters of the Congregation of the Immaculate Conception that had not been opened for centuries. This manuscript, the Codex Ibarra, was compiled in about 1680 and contains real gems of Latin American polyphonic vocal music. Only a few of these composers names have been passed down: Manuel Blasco, Guitierre Fernández and Joseph Hortuo.

This music is coupled with airy folk melodies from the 18th and 19th century that reflect the diversity of Ecuadorian music. The Swedish Ensemble Villancico, founded by Peter Pontvik, has already charmed many international audiences with its colourful, lively interpretations of Latin American Baroque music.

13 November, 2015 21:00 -- amuz

Three self-declared Knights of Rhythm come galloping towards you and come to a halt right in front of your nose. They are followed by an imaginary princess who chatters and chatters and chatters, but she might not even exist. Don Quixote, Sancho and Panza do everything they can to capture her heart, but end up creating one misunderstanding and unsuccessful attempt after another. It is only when the music takes over that they start to see eye to eye. Urged on by clapping, finger-clicking, nodding children, they finally get into the beat. Forward, march!

Dutch spoken

15 November, 2015 11:00 -- amuz

Can tragedy and comedy come together in music? Ligeti proves that they can in his extremely concentrated compositions for wind quintet from the 1950s and 1960s. The 6 Bagatelles explore all the expressive possibilities of the flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and French horn in short pieces full of dark moodiness and light, imaginative humour. The simultaneously comical and threatening 10 Pieces entertain and provoke in an accessible style. This virtuoso wind quintet links Ligetis chamber music to that of Luciano Berio, the Italian composer who sought the limits of the playable in pieces that explore all the technical possibilities of an instrument. This extraordinary repertoire by Ligeti and Berio is presented by a topnotch Belgian cast. For the first time on the AMUZ stage: the wood quintet of La Monnaie in Brussels.

19 November, 2015 21:00 -- amuz

An incorrect interpretation of several lines from her hagiography meant that it was several centuries before the Roman Saint Cecilia became the patron saint of music. Nonetheless, she was to be a huge source of inspiration to composers in the centuries that followed. Above all, an important tradition of celebrating her annual feast day (on 22nd November) with newly composed music arose in 17th and 18th-century England. This music ranged from simple songs to magnificent hymns for soloists accompanied by an extensive orchestra. It became something of a contest to come up with a new ode to the singing saint Cecilia every year.

The Belgian ensemble RedHerring, led by Patrick Denecker, has been involved with Baroque repertoire since 2010. Performing this evening as an ensemble of thirty, they guarantee a convivial evening with music including the Entertainment of Musick Calld the Union of the Three Sister Arts by J.C. Pepusch, in which Cecilia is praised. Handels Praise of Harmony, a virtuoso piece for tenor, strings and basso continuo likewise calls on Cecilia to witness how we honour her and the power of music.

20 November, 2015 21:00 -- amuz