This week Mechelen is abuzz with carillon sounds: the 9th edition of the International Carillon Competition Queen Fabiola is underway. 15 candidates from all over the world compete during the preliminaries on 10 and 11 July.
The carillonneurs each play three compositions, including the mandatory work 'Rhapsody in Bronze' by American carillonneur Joey Brink, winner of the competition in 2014. A number of candidates compete for a prize in an improvisation competition that does not count towards the jury's overall assessment.
The five best candidates advance to the final. On Saturday 13 July, they present themselves for a second time on the concert carillon of the Sint-Romboutstore with four works.
Those who cannot attend in Mechelen can follow this online from 1:30 p.m.
You can experience the selection days on 10 and 11 and the final on the Sint-Rombouts carillon on 13 July live with presentation and visualization of the performers in the Cultuurplein, Minderbroedersgang 5, Mechelen.
The second final day takes place on Sunday 14 July from 2 p.m. in the former church of the demolished Minderbroederskloster, which was replaced by the modernistic Cultuurcentrum, Minderbroedersgang 5. The five laureates perform a solo work of their own choice together with the composition 'Nocturne for chamber carillon, piano and percussion' by Jeroen Malaise, instructor at the Koninklijk Conservatorium in Antwerpen. The proclamation follows at 5:15 p.m.
Those who would like to attend can already reserve tickets.
This competition is made possible by several partners. The Koninklijke Beiaardschool thanks first and foremost the Nationale Loterij. Furthermore, the competition is supported by the minister-president of the Flemish Government, the City of Mechelen, the companies Clock-o-matic and Royal Eijsbouts, Koninklijke Gidsenbond Mechelen, Toren & Beiaard, World Carillon Federation, Vlaamse Beiaardvereniging, Koninklijke Nederlandse Klokkenspelvereniging, Campanae Lovanienses, Roeselaarse Klokkengilde, Carillon Society of Australia, Lierse Beiaardvereniging, Confraria de Campaners i Carillonistaes de Catalunya, Carillon Society of Britain and Ireland, Nordisk selskap for campanologi og klokkespil, Isaac Wong and Frauke and Peter Jung.