This performance is partly an experiment but the principle is a tried-and-tested concept where the audience determines the playlist for the evening: voting takes place beforehand, but the final choice is made during the performance in the hall. Every evening is unique.
More than 20 years ago, Lucas Van den Eynde, Nele Bauwens and Tine Embrechts took to the stage for the first time with their brand new programme 'Jukebox 2000'. The audience could choose from 100 Dutch-language songs and melodies from Flanders and the Netherlands: all styles and tastes were covered: from Louis Neefs to Marva, from Willeke Alberti to Gorki. It was a huge success!
It took a long time before someone came up with the idea of trying the same thing with classical music and that too has been a hit. The performance series at cultural centres and community centres started on 13 September at GC De Wildeman in Herent, we attended the final performance at CC 't Bolwerk in Vilvoorde. Classical music offers a broad spectrum from symphonic works to intimate song cycles. The accompaniment is minimalist: a piano and harp, The Jukebox String Quartet, the vocalist is soprano Liesbeth Devos, active as an opera and art song singer. You immediately know which segment of the classical repertoire the emphasis lies on.
Masters of Ceremony: Clara Cleymans and Warre Borghmans connect the various compositions and create atmosphere. Warre Borghmans sometimes goes a bit over the top. Clara Cleymans displays all her talents with verve, demonstrates a split, sings duets and joins in at the piano for a quatre main. A graceful and sparkling woman.
The audience could submit their preference beforehand via a voting form on the Classical Jukebox website to have certain compositions played. The two works with the highest number of preference votes were retained. The decision of which of the two wins is made live in the hall. Warre Borghmans wears a blue outfit, Clara Cleymans a red one. The instrumentalists a mix of both colours. Both performers talk about the composer and the content of the work and feed the audience's imagination. They do this with their whole bodies. The audience decides by holding up a blue or red card in the air which piece is ultimately played/sung.
It only took a handful of notes before the audience was completely engaged. Life's joy or melancholy bursts forth from the music. As the opening number the 'Overture from Le nozze di Figaro' by Mozart. Liesbeth Devos then latches onto a melancholic song by Richard Strauss. Then a choice had to be made between two Belgian compositions by Lodewijk Mortelmans on one hand and Jan Van Roost on the other. His spicy and dancing composition 'Rucudim' gets the preference. It leans heavily towards klezmer, the exuberant Jewish wedding music.
During 'Classical Jukebox' space was also created for young local talent to gain some stage experience. In Vilvoorde, 13-year-old violinist Gitte Germain was selected at the music academy. She performs a short masterpiece by E. Elgar 'Salut d'Amour'.
Next comes the romantic aria with an aria by Vincenzo Bellini, in an impressive and moving interpretation by Liesbeth Devos.
The audience was also allowed to choose a favourite instrumental work. The choice fell on the cavalry piece by Niccolo Paganini 'Moto Perpetuo'. Max Lohse, principal violinist at Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, demonstrates the virtuoso mastery of his instrument. Fascinated, you watch the finger dexterity that this composition requires.
A difficult choice was made between Pergolesi's "Stabat Mater and Bach's 'Erbarme dich'. Two incredibly beautiful classics. The audience chose almost unanimously for the best-known aria from Bach's St. Matthew Passion. Aria that took listeners of Klara to 1st place in the Klara top-100 last year. 'Spiegel im Spiegel' by Arvo Pärt was relegated to 2nd place. This versatile and challenging aria is performed sensitively by Liesbeth Devos. She knows how to touch the heart.
There is a nice build-up to the evening. Serene and spirited compositions alternate. Will it be an instrumental work by Mozart or Ravel? The latter wins the day with his only 'String Quartet' which incorporates a lot of pizzicato.
Clara Cleymans ventures together with Liesbeth Devos into the amusing duet of two cats 'Duetto buffo di due gatti' by Rossini.
Pianist Bart van Caenegem performs the '2nd Rhapsody by Brahms'. Technically pure, but there is little inspiration in his interpretation.
As the last vocal work there was still the choice between 'O mio babbino caro' by Puccini or the sensual 'Meine Lippen sie küssen so heiss' from the operetta Giuditta by Léhar. Liesbeth Devos' voice rises high, holds the notes and caresses them. She manages to provoke, entertain and move.
'Classical Jukebox' ends with a medley of a series of earworms from the classical repertoire. The evening ends with the style of Night of the Proms, with lights in the hall swaying to the rhythm of the music, hand clapping and group singing.
A dynamic evening demonstrating the musical richness in which fascinating musical worlds were explored.