On the afternoon of 11 August, the Sint-Gorgoniuskerk of Hoegaarden was filled with enchanting sounds during the benefit concert 'Klassiek voor Hoegaarden - Musick for a while', performed by the ensemble Musica Gloria. This concert was organized for the benefit of the sports clubs that suffered damage from the devastating fire that struck Hoegaarden's sports hall at the end of June.
The programme consisted of a carefully curated selection of works by Henry Purcell, supplemented with compositions by his brother or cousin Daniel Purcell and a work by Tobias Howe. Musica Gloria, consisting of Pieter De Praetere (countertenor), Nele Vertommen (recorder and oboe), Evan Buttars (viola da gamba) and Beniamino Paganini (harpsichord and recorder), brought these pieces with an impressive combination of technical mastery and deep emotional expression.
For the vocal section, the ensemble impressively made use of the church's space and acoustics. Pieter De Praetere performed his pieces sometimes at the front of the church, sometimes from the pulpit and at other times walking through the centre aisle. This created a dynamic and intimate experience, with the sounds of his powerful countertenor floating magically through the space and enveloping the audience.
In addition to the vocal pieces, there were also several beautiful instrumental works, each designed to bring one of the instruments to the foreground. These solos introduced the audience to the rich and versatile sounds of the recorder, oboe, viola da gamba and harpsichord, with the virtuosity of each of the musicians further highlighted.
One of the most memorable moments of the afternoon was the Dutch translation of William Wordsworth's poem "I wandered lonely as a cloud", which was performed as an interlude. It was an unexpected, but very pleasant moment of reflection, with poetry lovers clearly enjoying it. The poem brought smiles to the faces of the audience and reinforced the intimate atmosphere of the concert.
The afternoon was concluded with a standing ovation, a well-deserved tribute to the musicians. The audience was rewarded with a brilliant 'encore': "One charming night" by Henry Purcell. This final addition, sung with such finesse and sensitivity, formed the perfect conclusion to an afternoon marked by both musical craftsmanship and community spirit.
'Musick for a while' was more than a concert; it was a celebration of art, community and resilience, which undoubtedly left a lasting impression on everyone who attended. Those who missed the concert should take a look at the schedule on the Musica Gloria website, as they will also bring this not-to-be-missed programme later this year and in spring 2025, among other places in Leuven, Charleroi and Zele.