De Middagconcerten has been organizing a classical chamber music concert every week since 1948 in the heart of Brussels, ranging from baroque to contemporary music with special attention to works by Belgian composers. After a two-year break due to the pandemic, De Middagconcerten is making a new start this autumn on the eve of its 75th anniversary. The organization is firmly committed to restoring the series to its former glory and presents a program every Thursday afternoon from October to April where tradition and innovation blend seamlessly. Let the celebration begin!
Two leading Belgian musicians, Guy VAN WAAS and Dirk VERMEULEN, have developed an ambitious and innovative musical season. They present a full program of 22 concerts, to be enjoyed on Thursday afternoons at the Musical Instruments Museum on Brussels' Kunstberg and promise a grand celebration with 'JUBILE75' for a 75th birthday in style, on Sunday, January 15, 2023 at the KMSKB.
About De Middagconcerten
De Middagconcerten was founded by Sara Huysmans (daughter of the renowned politician Camille Huysmans) on January 15, 1948, inspired by the lunch concerts she had experienced during World War II in London. Following Brussels' example, Middagconcerten were also established in Antwerp, Leuven and Liège.
Until around the year 2000, Middagconcerten was a reference point in Brussels' concert life. Under the nearly 50-year chairmanship of Dora van Creveld and the generous patronage of her husband Carel, the association flourished greatly. The concert hall of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium was named after the couple as a tribute to their years of selfless dedication (since the renovation now named after Philippe Robert Jones).
Festival Schedule
On Thursday, October 13, the opening shot will be fired with "The Seasons Revisited". During this splendid opening concert, the 16-member Ensemble Ataneres gives an original interpretation of Vivaldi's Four Seasons, with Nicolas DUPONT as soloist. It is a premiere for De Middagconcerten to welcome a complete chamber orchestra. The following week, Jean-Claude Vanden Eynden and Patrick Dheur present a program around César Franck.
Other highlights this season include pianist Thérèse MALENGREAU, who presents excerpts from her recent CD on November 3; the duo Jean-Pierre DASSONVILLE (horn) and Grégory LEONTI (piano) performing works by Debussy and Saint-Saëns on December 8; or violinist Alexandra COOREMAN, accompanied by Christia HUDZIY, young talent from the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, on December 22.
In spring, a number of new and surprising sounds make their appearance, including the acclaimed accordionist Sara SALVERIUS on February 2. The Erik VERMEULEN TRIO brings jazz with great classics by, among others, Bill Evans, Cole Porter and Thelonious Monk on March 9. The series concludes this year on April 13 with candidates from the 2023 Elisabeth Competition for singing.
De Middagconcerten promises to be a succession of well-known musicians in a daring program that will captivate and charm both loyal concert-goers and new listeners.
The complete program, practical information and further background can be found at www.concertsdemidi.be. The program of the 'JUBILE75' concerts on Sunday, January 15, 2023 will be announced later.