Last September, the Contiusorgel in the Sint-Michiels Vredeskerk was officially inaugurated, and Leuven immediately gained a magnificent instrument. This Baroque organ, a historical reconstruction of the instrument that H.A. Contius completed in Liepaja (Latvia) in 1779, is eminently suited for the performance of music by J.S. Bach and his contemporaries.
The mission of the Contieus Foundation from this moment on is to let the organ sound and shine!
The public has already been able to enjoy the monthly Bachcyclus and the weekly lunchconcerts (every Thursday), but the highlight of the season is the first edition of the Contius-Bach Festival, from 1 to 9 July, both in the Sint-Michiels Vredeskerk and in the Hollands College.
Internationally renowned organists, such as Benjamin Alard (FR), Pieter van Dijk (NL), Annette Richards (US) and David Yearsley (US) perform alongside Belgian musicians such as Bernard Foccroulle, Wim Winters, or also: the ensembles "a nocte temporis" (conducted by Reinoud van Mechelen) and InAlto.
On the second day, an international symposium places the organ in a European context.
During the same festival period, an Academy with masterclasses for organ students from all over Europe takes place.
Practical: from 1 to 9 July at the Sint-Michiels Vredeskerk and the Hollands College
Tickets via contiusfoundation.org
Information : info@contiusfoundation.org
Programme :
Friday 1 July at 20.00
Organ Recital by Annette Richards (US) and David Yearsley (US)
Live broadcast by KLARA – Introductory programme from 18.00
Saturday 2 July from 10.00
Symposium "The Contius organ in Leuven, and beyond"
Saturday 2 July at 20.30
A nocte temporis conducted by Reinoud van Mechelen "Ich Habe Genug"
Live broadcast by KLARA
Sunday 3 July at 11.15
Artists' Mass / Peace Mass
Sunday 3 July at 17.00
Wim Winters, clavichord
Tuesday 5 July at 20.30
Organ Recital by Benjamin Alard (FR) and Pieter van Dijk (NL)
Thursday 7 July at 20.30
In Alto Ensemble - Bernard Foccroulle, organ "From Schütz to Buxtehude"
Friday 8 July at 20.30 and Saturday 9 July at 15.00
Concert Academy students