PROGRAM
PROGRAMME
MONDAY 15 APRIL 2024
Opening concert: Spiegel im Spiegel – 20:30
Not only is Spiegel im Spiegel the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt’s most played work, it has also spent years at the top of the Klara Top 100. The work takes centre stage at the opening concert of the Antwerp Spring Festival which hopes to provide an answer to our hectic and digital, hyper-fast daily lives. The search for inner peace is of all times, and we combine music by Johann Sebastian Bach with that of Ryuichi Sakamoto, the recently deceased Japanese ‘king of minimalism’. We also bring the popular Max Richter, the resonant name of John Adams and, of course, Arvo Pärt himself. There are also two soloists, fantastic Japanese pianist Gen Tomuro from Tokyo and violinist Elise Bertrand from the ranks of the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, the breeding ground for top talent. The whole thing is accompanied by Casco Phil. Join us on a meditative journey through history in search of inner peace and beauty.
Gen Tomuro – piano
Elise Bertrand – violin
Casco Phil
Benjamin Haemhouts – conductor
PROGRAMME
Johann Sebastian Bach – from Sonata for Violin no. 1 in G Minor, BWV 1001 – I. Adagio
Erkki-Sven Tüür – Deep Dark Shine (Belgian premiere)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Amore
Johann Sebastian Bach – from Sonata for Violin no. 1 in G Minor, BWV 1001 – II. Fuga. Allegro
Bert Appermont – About Love (World premiere)
Johann Sebastian Bach – from Sonata for Violin no. 1 in G Minor BWV 1001 – III. Siciliana
Max Richter – On the Nature of Daylight
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Silk endroll
Ryuichi Sakamoto – M.A.Y. In The Backyard
Johann Sebastian Bach – from Sonata for Violin no. 1 in G Minor BWV 1001 – IV. Presto
Pietro Locatelli – from Concerto Grosso in F Minor Op. 1 – II. Grave
John Adams – from Shaker Loops – I. Shaking and Trembling
Arvo Pärt – Für Alina
Arvo Pärt – Spiegel im Spiegel
MUSICA GLORIA © MALOU VAN DEN HEUVEL
TUESDAY 16 APRIL 2024
La Folia! – 20:30
Belgium’s Musica Gloria, the rising stars of the baroque scene, of Beniamino Paganini and Nele Vertommen comes to Antwerp Spring Festival!
Despite his youthfulness, artistic director Beniamino Paganini’s career is soaring across the globe.
With La Folia! we turn to a theme that has provided countless variations throughout time, and we are treated to instrumental and vocal music by Antonio Vivaldi, with soli by violinist Elise Dupont among others.
But even a concert of baroque music can benefit from something completely new and that is a work for a chef, a countertenor and a baroque ensemble. Heh? You read that correctly. One of our evening’s works is a new composition entirely in Baroque style as if written 400 years ago where countertenor Pieter De Praetere sings a recipe while Peppe Giacomazza prepares the accompanying dish right in front of the audience. Live!
Musica Gloria
Pieter De Praetere – counter tenor
Nele Vertommen – oboe, recorder & artistic direction
Elise Dupont & Marrie Mooij – violin
Lena Rademann – viola
Anne-Linde Visser – cello
Giulio Quirici – theorbo & guitar
Beniamino Paganini – harpsichord, traverso & artistic direction
Peppe Giacomazza – chef
PROGRAMME
Antonio Vivaldi – Concerto Del Gardellino, RV 90
Antonio Vivaldi – Nisi Dominus, RV 608
Antonio Vivaldi – Recorder concerto, RV 442
Antonio Vivaldi – Concerto La Primavera, RV 269
Antonio Vivaldi – Orlando Furioso, RV 728 – Sol da te mio dolce amore
Antonio Vivaldi – Oboe concerto, RV 450
Antonio Vivaldi – La Folia, RV 63
Jan Van den Bossche – Concerto Berlingot al Peppe
JAN SCHWEIGER © GERT KRAUTBAUER
Wednesday 17 APRIL 2024
Friede auf Erden – 20:30
Friede auf Erden is the very first concert with the newly founded VOLT Chamber Choir. Artistic director Jan Schweiger is an internationally renowned authority and leads the Opera Ballet Flanders’ Choir. With this new chamber choir, with a selection of the country’s best singers, he is ensuring an unforgettable debut!
The programme includes a number of Bach’s well-known works, but Schweiger also makes forays into the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and into contemporary minimalism. Dive with us into the overwhelming choral music of Bruckner, Bach, Mendelssohn, Schönberg and, of course, the immensely popular Eric Whitacre. VOLT Chamber Choir presents an exciting, ingenious and captivating programme taking you on a 650-plus year journey through musical history.
For anyone who loves choirs and vocal music, this will be an evening to remember!
Maximilian Lohse – violin
VOLT Kamerkoor
Jan Schweiger – conductor
PROGRAMME
Arnold Schönberg – Friede auf Erden, Op. 13
Johann Sebastian Bach – from Partita for violin solo no. 2, BWV 1004 – Allemande
Eric Whitacre – Sainte-Chapelle
Eugène Ysaÿe – from Sonate for violin solo in A Minor, Op. 27 no. 2 – Obsession
Felix Mendelssohn – from Elias, Op. 70 – Hebe deine Augen auf
Felix Mendelssohn – from Three Psalms, Op. 78 – Warum toben die Heiden
Johann Sebastian Bach– from Partita no. 2, BWV 1004 – Sarabande
Anton Bruckner – Os justi, WAB 30
Anton Bruckner – Ave Maria, WAB 6
Anton Bruckner – Christus factus est, WAB 11
Johann Sebastian Bach – from Partita for violin solo no. 2, BWV 1004 – Giga
Johann Sebastian Bach – from Partita no. 2, BWV 1004 – Ciaccona (Transcr. for violin solo and choir)
THURSDAY 18 APRIL 2024
Diabelli Mystery – 20:30
In 1819, Anton Diabelli wrote a simple waltz for piano. He asked several contemporaries to compose a variation on it as a way of promoting his music publishing company. He asked Beethoven too, who ended up with no less than 33 variations.
Already at the time, several stories were emerging around this composition. One was about rivalry, another about an offended Beethoven, and yet another was about the countless composers who had not been asked. It led to harsh statements and intrigue.
Meanwhile, the Diabelli Variations stands as one of the best works ever composed for piano.
Such a work, of course, requires the necessary piano talent!
Diabelli initially envisaged different composers, but Antwerp Spring Festival turns that around and invites different pianists. Lara Suran, Virgile Roche and Matteo Bevilacqua are three top young pianists from the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel who enter this piano battle, each taking on 11 of the 33 variations. All three are seated at an imposing concert grand piano and alternate at lightning speed. It is the very first time this work has been performed in this way.
Welcome to our piano battle!
Lana Suran – piano
Virgile Roche – piano
Matteo Bevilacqua – piano
PROGRAMME
Ludwig van Beethoven – 33 Variations on a waltz from A. Diabelli, Op. 120
Maurice Ravel – from Gaspard de la Nuit – Ondine (Virgile Roche)
Béla Bartók – Etude no. 2, Op. 18 (Virgile Roche)
Luciano Berio – from Six Encores – Luftklavier (Matteo Bevilacqua)
Sergej Prokofiev – from Piano Sonata no. 2, Op. 14 – Scherzo (Matteo Bevilacqua)
György Ligeti – Etude no. 13 ‘L’escalier du Diable’ (Matteo Bevilacqua)
Frédéric Chopin – Ballade no. 4 in F Minor, Op. 52 (Lana Suran)
DOMINIQUE VLEESHOUWERS © ROY OVERDIJK
FRIDAY 19 APRIL 2024
Encounters – 20:00
The top Dutch orchestra Philzuid resides just across the border. They come to Antwerp for the first time in a very long time and they do so in style with a programme of works by the two masters of classicism, Mozart and Haydn. This they combine with folk music by Hungarian composer Béla Bartók and a unique and overwhelming new composition by French composer Daniel Wohl for percussion and orchestra.
Conductor Gabor Kali ensures an orchestral spectacle together with a soloist.
They close with Haydn’s last symphony no. 104, premièred almost 239 years ago. This last symphony is also known as London or Solomon and with its unparalleled energy, compositional shrewdness and several innovative elements that would resonate in music history for a long time to come, it is considered one of the most important masterpieces of the period. An evening of orchestral power!
Dominique Vleeshouwers– percussion
Philzuid
Gabor Kali – conductor
PROGRAMME
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart– from Die Entführung aus dem Serail, KV 384 – Overture
Daniel Wohl – Uncanny Valley – Percussion Concerto (World premiere)
Béla Bartók – Hungarian Sketchs, SZ 97
Joseph Haydn – Symphony no. 104 in D Major, Hob. I/104 ‘London’
ANTWERP SPRING FESTIVAL © ANTOINE PORCHER
FRIDAY 19 APRIL 2024
Bach by Night – 22:30
For the first time, we are presenting a late-night concert at our festival. Night owls with a sense of adventure can get their late-night fill with a concert in an intimate setting at the Handelsbeurs.
The programme exclusively features music by Bach for a solo violin and a solo cello.
Think Bach in combination with works for these solo instruments and you naturally think of the famous sonatas, partitas and suites. These are performed by several young international soloists from the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, Elise Bertrand and Jorge Giménez, already held as the stars of tomorrow.
The evening starts at 10:30pm and you are guaranteed a unique experience at an equally unique venue.
Register quickly as places are limited.
Elise Bertrand – violin
Jorge Giménez – cello
PROGRAMME
for violin
Johann Sebastian Bach – Sonata no. 1 in G Minor, BWV 1001
Johann Sebastian Bach – Partita no. 3 in E Major, BWV 1006
for cello
Johann Sebastian Bach – Suite no. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007
Johann Sebastian Bach – Suite no. 5 in C Minor, BWV 1011
SATURDAY 20 APRIL 2024
Vibrant Winds – 15:30
On this special afternoon, we welcome a professional wind band, which is a unique first. Nor are they just any band. Musique Militaire Grand-ducale de Luxembourg is led by their conductor Jean-Claude Braun and is considered one of the very best in Europe.
Our country also has a very rich tradition of wind bands from which many top international soloists have already grown. The top soloists of this concert started their careers in these wind bands: bassoonist Jappe Dendievel. Glenn Van Looy, in turn, is the best euphonium player we have ever heard and he is currently reaching high peaks in Switzerland, and Tim de Maeseneer is another top musician who travels the world giving master classes and solo concerts. At our festival, he will perform a new work by compatriot Jan Van der Roost.
In this concert, we combine our own talent with a great orchestra from just across the border. Immerse yourself in the beautiful colour palette of a wind band.
Jappe Dendievel – bassoon
Glenn Van Looy – euphonium
Tim de Maeseneer – alto horn
Musique Militaire Grand-ducale de Luxembourg
Jean-Claude Braun – conductor
PROGRAMME
Peter Knockaert – Overture AIOLOS – God of the Wind
Georges Sadeler – The Old Fortress of Luxembourg
Carl Maria von Weber – Andante e Rundo Ungarese for bassoon and orchestra, J. 158 Op.35 (soloist: Jappe Dendievel)
Tom Davoren – Rituals (soloist: Glenn van Looy)
Jan van der Roost – SalTIMbanco (World premiere) (soloist: Tim de Maeseneer)
Bert Appermont – A Brussels Requiem
SATURDAY 20 APRIL 2024
[SOLD OUT] Fado de Lisboa – 20:30
Fado, that is the blues of Portugal, the songs of life drenched in melancholy and wistfulness, and saudade.
After the amazing success of last year’s evening of Fado, which saw Portuguese from all over the country descend on Antwerp, we had no choice but to opt for Fado this year too.
We bring a touch of sultry Lisbon to our city and once again introduce Portugal’s emerging fadistas to the public.
The fadistas we came across in the heart of Lisbon are very excited that they get to swap their halls and taverns for the unique setting of our Handelsbeurs. We will transform that place into an intimate, warm setting with a ‘touch of Lisboa‘ for the occasion.
Maria Emília – singer
Bernardo Saldanha – viola
José Geadas – Portuguese guitar
Daniel Pinto – acoustic bass
Francisco Grilo – sound engineer
CLARA CLEYMANS & PRINCE K. APPIAH © CARMEN DEVOS
SUNDAY 21 APRIL 2024
Family show: De lange Wapper (NL) – 09:30
The Antwerp Spring Festival is a festival for everyone and that includes the little ones! Today’s children are tomorrow’s audiences and enthusiasm has no age limit. Everyone, young and old, has heard of Lange Wapper. But who knows the real story behind it?
Like many old tales and legends, the story of the Lange Wapper has faded somewhat from our collective memory.
The story is nevertheless very exciting and funny and makes you forget that Playstation for a while during this fantastic children’s show for children aged 6 and up.
Who better than Clara Cleymans to bring out Lange Wapper from under the cover and give the story a contemporary twist? This is a first for her working on the story as a creator and on stage, she will be joined by rapper and actor Prince K. Appiah, by musicians and by conductor Stijn Saveniers, who will be conducting Noah Senden’s music, composed especially for this story.
Make sure you bring grandpa and grandma too, they might even remember the story!
– Dutch spoken
Clara Cleymans – director & actor
Prince K. Appiah – actor & singer
Casco Phil
Stijn Saveniers – conductor
PROGRAMME
De Lange Wapper:
Clara Cleymans – text
Noah Senden – music
CLARA CLEYMANS & PRINCE K. APPIAH © CARMEN DEVOS
SUNDAY 21 APRIL 2024
[SOLD OUT] Family show: De lange Wapper (NL) – 11:30
The Antwerp Spring Festival is a festival for everyone and that includes the little ones! Today’s children are tomorrow’s audiences and enthusiasm has no age limit. Everyone, young and old, has heard of Lange Wapper. But who knows the real story behind it?
Like many old tales and legends, the story of the Lange Wapper has faded somewhat from our collective memory.
The story is nevertheless very exciting and funny and makes you forget that Playstation for a while during this fantastic children’s show for children aged 6 and up.
Who better than Clara Cleymans to bring out Lange Wapper from under the cover and give the story a contemporary twist? This is a first for her working on the story as a creator and on stage, she will be joined by rapper and actor Prince K. Appiah, by musicians and by conductor Stijn Saveniers, who will be conducting Noah Senden’s music, composed especially for this story.
Make sure you bring grandpa and grandma too, they might even remember the story!
– Dutch spoken
Clara Cleymans – director & actor
Prince K. Appiah – actor & singer
Casco Phil
Stijn Saveniers – conductor
PROGRAMME
De Lange Wapper:
Clara Cleymans – text
Noah Senden – music
BENJAMIN HAEMHOUTSS © KAUPO KIKKAS
SUNDAY 21 APRIL 2024
Closing concert: Beethoven Connotations – 15:30
With Ludwig van Beethoven’s majestic Fifth Symphony, we close our festival with a bang.
Beethoven is undoubtedly one of the most influential composers the world has ever seen. The importance of his musical legacy and the impact he has had on composers to this day cannot be underestimated. Everyone, of course, knows the beginning of his famous Fifth Symphony!
Casco Phil and conductor Benjamin Haemhouts take to the stage. Besides Beethoven, you will also hear works by two composers from our own land. Antwerp composer Luc Van Hove’s Diabelli Veränderungen have only ever been performed once and are, of course, a reference to Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations, which our festival brings to you earlier in the week.
Together with mezzo-soprano Kadi Jürgens, we also pay tribute to composer Wim Henderickx, who died far too early and for whom Beethoven was always an inspiration. His work Only Darkness and Shadows with lyrics by Estonian poet Triin Soomets has never before been performed in this version.
A perfect première cherry on the festival cake.
Kadi Jürgens – mezzo soprano
Casco Phil
Benjamin Haemhouts – conductor
PROGRAMME
Ludwig van Beethoven – Overture of Egmont, Op. 84
Wim Henderickx – Only Darkness and Shadows, on poetry by Triin Soomets
Arvo Pärt – Orient & Occident
Luc Van Hove – Diabelli Veränderung, Op. 43
Ludwig van Beethoven – Symphony no. 5 in Es Minor, Op. 67
