Three young artists organize music festival at Averbode Abbey

Cellist Paul Heyman, writer Jason Spinks and soprano Louise Guenter all three have a connection to the Hageland region. As children, they spent many summers in the forests of the area around Averbode. A few years ago, during a walk near the abbey, they came up with the plan to share their passion for classical music with more people. Louise: "We thought about how we could enrich the musical landscape in Belgium. This ultimately led us to the decision to establish our own chamber music festival. Averbode seemed perfect to us: the magic of that place gave us the courage to make the step to establish our festival there." Jason: "We contacted the abbey and we were fortunate to find a listening ear in Father Jos Bielen." The trio primarily wants to provide a platform for Belgian musicians, or musicians based in Belgium. However, this is not a strict dogma. The intention is to become a permanent fixture in the region over time, with a festival that people look forward to each year and where talent finds a home. Paul: "This region doesn't have much to offer in that regard. Chamber music is a specific form of classical music. Many of the greatest works by major composers such as Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Shostakovich... are chamber music works, often with a personal and deep expression. For the audience, these works are usually more accessible than, for example, a symphony with orchestra or another work in a large ensemble, precisely because the interaction between one or a few musicians and the audience in a smaller hall is so direct and transparent."

What can visitors look forward to at this edition?

Jason: "Visitors can expect a fantastic edition this year with a varied and qualitatively interesting program. It is a combination of young talent and established musicians who have already proven themselves. No concert will be the same. We have developed Averbode Klassiek into something we can genuinely be proud of. I'm certain that we can also convince the audience that the festival is more than worth it." Louise: "We also try to create a convivial atmosphere, where after each concert - which, by the way, take place in the very beautiful Abtskwartier of the abbey - there is the opportunity to chat with a drink afterwards." Paul: "The opening concert features two great Romantic sonatas for cello and piano by Grieg and Rachmaninov, followed by a concert in a special ensemble: bassoon and piano. Mavroudes Troullos and Lily Maisky bring a program with many small works by Saint-Saëns and Bloch, to Bartók and De Falla. The second weekend opens with pianist Florestan Bataillie who combines his own compositions from his solo album with works by Philip Glass and Erik Satie. Florestan is a born storyteller and narrates everything in an accessible, anecdotal manner. Averbode Klassiek this year closes with a Sunday afternoon concert by iTrio presenting gems from the string trio repertoire by Schubert, Beethoven and Jean Cras."

About the organizers

Paul Heyman

Started playing cello at the age of four. This quickly became a passion and from his teenage years he knew he wanted to become a professional cellist.

Jason Spinks

Obtained a Master's degree in Creative Writing. He has an American background and therefore usually writes in English. Jason works in the communications department of the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs and publishes for the website "Focus on Belgium". He also works as a poet, translator and editor.

Louise Guenter

After her studies in Linguistics and Literature with a focus on Latin-Greek, she discovered another passion in herself, namely classical singing. She obtained a Master's degree in Classical Languages, but subsequently began studying music at the conservatory in Gent. Because the voice needs enough time to develop, she is still studying today, namely at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin in the class of soprano Anna Samuil. Her intention is to gradually be able to work as a professional singer.

Averbode Klassiek

17, 18, 24 and 25 June 2023

Abbey of Averbode Abdijstraat 1 3271 Averbode

info & tickets