Yesterday Prima La Musica performed the closing concert of the Kursaal Classics 2022 series in the sun-drenched Oostende. Originally, the concert was supposed to take place on December 19, 2021, but due to the Covid situation it was postponed. However, this postponement was certainly not a cancellation…
A spicy and varied but also whirlwind program with various premieres filled the evening. We were able to listen to a composition by James Ensor (Valse Caprise) and also world premieres of lesser-known works by Edvard Grieg* and George Gershwin* filled the hall.
The evening was divided into two parts. The first part consisted of the following works:
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Divertimento in F, KV 138 - 12'
- Dirk Brossé | I Loved You, for soprano and strings - 6'
- Edvard Grieg* | Norwegian Tales, for strings and harp - 18'
I loved you would normally be sung by Elise Caluwaerts. Unfortunately, she was unable to perform due to illness and was replaced by the fantastic singing soprano Jolien Degendt. Due to Elise Caluwaerts' last-minute cancellation, Jolien Degendt's rehearsal with the orchestra was limited to running through the tempos shortly before the concert. Despite the brief rehearsal, Degendt delivered an excellent performance. We can safely say that Jolien is a very talented soprano whom we would like to hear perform again.
In the second part of the concert we could listen to:
- Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky | "Waltz" from Serenade for Strings - 5'
- Frédéric Devreese | "Premiere Valse" from La Partie d'échecs - 2'
- James Ensor | Valse Caprice - 3'
- George Gershwin* | 3 Preludes, for strings and harp - 6'
For soprano, clarinet, harp and strings (world premiere) - George Gershwin** | Summer time - 4'
- Charlie Chaplin** | Smile - 4'
- Leonard Bernstein** | "I feel Pretty" from West Side Story - 3'
- Happy birthday Piazolla 100
- Astor Piazolla** | Libertango - 5'
* Orchestration: Dirk Brossé & Pieter Corten
** Orchestration: Dirk Brossé & Nicolas De Cock
Part two was surprising with a couple of pieces standing out because we don't immediately associate these names with classical music. James Ensor with Valse Caprice, one of the most famous people from Oostende, is best known as a painter. His musical work all too often remains in the shadow of his paintings. A refreshing and welcome surprise at this concert in his birthplace. Furthermore, film music by Charlie Chaplin was brought to bear with Smile (excellently orchestrated by Dirk Brossé & Nicolas De Cock).
So you are constantly surprised in Oostende. Dirk Brossé took ample time to discuss the pieces with the audience, which made it an enjoyable and educational concert for the undersigned as well.
Save the date
Kursaal Classics is a beautiful concert series carefully curated by Frank Pauwels, where we don't hear the same thing as in other locations. Next season the Kursaal Classics will return. We'll give you the dates in advance:
23/10/2022 – Belgian National Orchestra conducted by Michael Shonwardt and with baritone Thomas Hampson
11/12/2022 – Antwerp Symphony Orchestra conducted by Dima Slobodeniouk and with Augustin Hadelich on violin.
29/01/2023 - ORCHESTRE PHILHARMONIQUE ROYAL DE LIÈGE conducted by Gergely Madaras and with Alberto Menchen on violin.
19/02/2023 - BRUSSELS PHILHARMONIC - VLAAMS RADIOKOOR conducted by Bart Van Reyn, and with soloists Liesbeth Devos, Peter Gijsbertsen and André Morsch
19/03/2023 - SYMFONIEORKEST VLAANDEREN – conducted by Kristiina Poska and with soloists Peter Gijsbertsen and Christianne Stotijn
23/04/2023 - CASCO PHIL – conducted by Michiel Delanghe, and with Liebrecht Vanbeckevoort as pianist
So the Kursaal also brings a beautiful and varied program in its Kursaal Classics series in the next season. Kursaal Oostende also offers a subscription for its performances in this series, which you can purchase.