The new season of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, titled Over Leven in de Stroming, places composers and their legacy at the center. This program explores themes of life, death and the survival of art, with emphasis on the continuous movement of music and how it transcends generations. Central are questions such as: "What comes after the end?" and "How do we deal with legacy?" These themes are supported by concerts, lectures and workshops that enrich and deepen the season.
Music as an Eternal Stream
Music is like a river that is always in motion, never returning to the same point. The composers, though deceased, continue to live on in their work. This concept forms the core of the new season of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, which presents carefully selected works that engage in dialogue with this theme. The contrasts between composers' first and last works are highlighted, providing a unique perspective on their artistic development and legacy.
Throughout the season, the orchestra will perform music that reflects a composer's entire career, reinforcing the idea that music, like life, is in constant change. This concept is further explored in lectures and activities, including an engaging series by Pim van Lommel and Thomas Hertog, who delve deeper into the idea of life and death in relation to art and science.
International Connections and Ambassadorship
The Antwerp Symphony Orchestra stands strong not only in Flanders, but also has a solid international reputation. With concert series at venues including the Concertgebouw Brugge, Bozar in Brussels and Muziekcentrum De Bijloke in Ghent, the orchestra makes an impression both within and beyond national borders. Each year it organizes a foreign tour; this autumn the orchestra will visit Ljubljana, Salzburg, Munich and Bregenz, among others. These international performances strengthen Flanders' ambassadorship, with the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra proudly operating as a Flanders Ambassador.
Furthermore, under the quality label Elisabeth Klassiek, the orchestra receives some of the finest international orchestras in the Koningin Elisabethzaal. This hall, renowned for its superior acoustics, provides the ideal setting for top musicians and international ensembles.
Ensorjaar 2024
In September 2024, Antwerp celebrates the Ensorjaar with a major exhibition in collaboration with many partners, including the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra. This is a tribute to James Ensor, one of Belgium's most versatile artists, who was both a painter and musician. The highlight is the concert Ensor in Concert: Symfonische Schilderijen on October 4, which sheds light on the musical side of Ensor. This concert, featuring works by Flor Alpaerts and Erich Wolfgang Korngold, offers a deeper look at the cross-pollination between visual art and music. Prior to the concert, Ensor expert Herwig Todts gives a lecture on Ensor's versatile world, accompanied by music by Jan Michiels on piano.
Elisabethweek and Hayoung Choi
An annual highlight at Antwerp Symphony is the Elisabethweek, featuring a winner or laureate of the prestigious Koningin Elisabethwedstrijd. In February 2025, virtuoso cellist Hayoung Choi shines on stage, accompanied by the orchestra. Choi, who won first prize in the Koningin Elisabethwedstrijd for Cello in 2022, brings a program that showcases her exceptional talent and centers on the legacy of great composers.
Season Happening: Music and Time
On February 22, 2025, Antwerp Symphony presents the annual Seizoenshappening, in which themes such as time and survival are further explored. Thomas Hertog, a renowned physicist who collaborated with Stephen Hawking, will give a lecture on the origin of time, while the orchestra plays music that reflects these ideas. This unique event offers a multidisciplinary look at how music, science and philosophy can influence one another.
Program Highlights
The season opens on September 21, 2024 with a gala concert in which Latvian soprano Kristine Opolais will captivate the audience with beautiful operatic arias. It promises to be a memorable evening in the Koningin Elisabethzaal, where traditionally the season starts festively each year.
In the following weeks, the orchestra presents a program that takes the audience on a musical journey through fairy tales and fantasies. Brothers Arthur and Lucas Jussen will perform an enchanting concert, bringing Eastern stories such as Aladdin and the Phoenix to life. The music of Schubert, Horneman and Say weaves a magical tapestry of sound that stimulates the imagination.
In October 2024, a performance of Mozart's Requiem follows, conducted by Philippe Herreweghe. This masterpiece, together with Brahms' Schicksalslied, will deeply touch the emotions of the audience. Herreweghe, known for his expertise in classical choral works, together with the Collegium Vocale Gent ensures an unforgettable experience.
Another special mention deserves the concert on November 30, in which top violinist Augustin Hadelich takes the stage to perform Prokofjev's First Violin Concerto. This concert, conducted by Jaap van Zweden, will be one of the highlights of the season.
Conclusion
The 2024-2025 season of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra offers a rich and diverse programme that invites reflection on life, death and the enduring power of music. With a combination of major symphonic works, solo concerts and lectures by leading thinkers, the orchestra bridges the gap between art and philosophy. This multidisciplinary approach makes the season unique and ensures that each performance is more than just a concert; it is an invitation to drift along the river of music that connects us all.