You're meeting in the heart of Brussels to discuss serious matters. In Burgundian style, which makes the consultation easier. While dining, the best contracts are also concluded, it is said. The meeting I'm part of is in any case fruitful and with a feeling of satisfaction I walk towards Brussels Central Station. Before that I have to pass the magnificent Sint-Michiel and Sint-Goedele cathedral...
A wealth of Brabantine gothic is the cathedral. Once there was a wooden little church, then a Romanesque small church of which, thanks to doctor historian Paul De Ridder in the 1980s the foundations were partially exposed and made accessible to visitors. Immediately during the interior restoration, a lot of failed 19th century neogothic interventions were undone. Oh how angry people were at first with the learned Brusseler, but when they saw the result, the 'angry ones' walked away with the glory after cutting the necessary ribbons.
It is difficult, especially if you have time, to leave a work of art aside, isn't it? And so I climbed the stairs, into the church. Did I get overwhelmed there, not by some pickpocket, but by a wealth of baroque music, as live as could be. A large choir, a baroque orchestra and hey that conductor, do we know him? Yes indeed, Guy Van Waas; the pure Brusseler heart and soul. Actually he is the ideal conductor for this cathedral, isn't he? Brusseler who is rehearsing the work of a Brussels composer. You recognize the hand of 'our' Brabantine baroque. Fiocco it is not, he is more sumptuous, De Croes is not either and he was also not a choirmaster in Brussels. It is a mass by Van Helmont. A double-choir festive mass.
"Tomorrow we celebrate with a festive concert 20 years of education 'Early Music' at the French-speaking Brussels Conservatoire", Guy Van Waas tells me. "That's quite beautiful music, isn't it? And double-choir, a large baroque orchestra". The conductor radiates. "You know, those are all students and former students, they come from everywhere, even from France and Italy to rehearse here for three days and then give tomorrow's concert. Some entirely voluntarily, just to be back together and for that beautiful music. After the concert we'll go out for a good meal with that whole bunch". Yes, a full hour, or is it a bit longer?, I enjoy the choir, orchestra and soloists rehearsing away merrily. An unexpected gift, a cathedral experience so to speak. Music from the choirmasters of that Divine Christian temple, if I may put it that way.
The concert fits within the framework of FestiVita!, an unmissable week of 'early music' in the Cercle royal Gaulois in the capital. Everyone go there, there are still tickets! Music and Burgundian food during the Burgundian Banquet for example. You don't want to miss that, even if the language of instruction - not the language of feeding - is French of this festival that is attached to French-speaking culture and education. That's how it goes in this country, it's one thing or the other. Fortunately we don't hear that ongoing conflict on the stage, there all forces unite for music that transcends conflict. I ask you, that walk is worth it in itself. Besides, there is much to see in Brussels, in the cathedral and especially to listen to in the coming days. Let yourself immerse in the rich times of Brussels, when fine arts flourished in the de facto capital of the former Netherlands, where much less language conflict reigned, and where those fine arts were an export product that had all of Europe in its grip. Music was part of that.
Historian Paul De Ridder made the cathedral archives more accessible and in those archives many scores were found by quite a few choirmasters. These are scores by multiple choirmasters, today silent unknowns, which were to be enjoyed and are during the concert and this not quite dress rehearsal. Unfortunately I cannot attend the concert itself, but actually, to attend a rehearsal so totally unexpectedly that is almost the concert itself, that's quite something, isn't it? I enjoyed it and believe me, I was not alone.
- WHAT: FestiVita! Rehearsal festive concert 20 years of Early Music education Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles
- WHO: Guy Van Waas conducts choir, orchestra and soloists from the Early Music education Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles
- WHERE & WHEN: from 10 February to 17 February 2023, Brussels
- PHOTOS: © LVM/Klassiek Centraal