Done with press conferences on the stage of the Henri Le Bœuf Hall, where there were more sponsors and producers than journalists. No, to present the 'highlights' of the 2019-2020 season, the four music programmers chose the small but intimate Royal Salon. It was also a small gathering that had turned up. But select! What was in that preliminary brochure with Music Highlights? Read it here ...
Welcomed by the 'dreamteam' of BOZAR-Music-programmers. The term comes from their leader, music director Ulrich Hauschild. He heads the classical department. And yes, once again the biggest names and best orchestras from the world of classical music are coming to Brussels. On the inside cover of the Music Highlights brochure, Jonas Kaufmann is quoted: "I am looking forward to singing in BOZAR again, a European house of culture". And there's a reason for that. Hauschild explains that Kaufmann is delighted with the acoustics of the hall, unlike those of the relatively new Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg. There were recently people who left during his performance there because they were sitting behind the orchestra in that arena-shaped concert hall. They said: "You can't hear anything here". Kaufmann himself is not happy with Hamburg either. Beautiful building and tourist attraction, but in the German press he wondered whether singers and choirs had been taken into account … Long live BOZAR and the Henry Le Boeuf Hall, says Hauschild contentedly in passing.
Vocal and orchestral grandeur
Kaufmann then, this time with the Prague Philharmonia and the Belgian National Orchestra. Do tradition and the people want Bartoli? BOZAR puts her back on the programme again, and also adds Angela Gheorghiu with a recital. Those are THE big names from the Vocal Grandeur programme that are coming to Belgium's largest concert hall, says a proud music director. And of course there is other 'grandeur', when it comes to the orchestral world and the top conductors who are coming by. Once again the 'greatest' are among those taking part: with their well-known conductors, but this time also with attention to a new generation of orchestra leaders. The Berliner will be there, headed by Kirill Petrenko ("That will be heavenly", according to Hauschild). From Helsinki comes Susanna Mälkki. And from our neighbours to the north the Concertgebouw Orchestra with Andris Nelsons. A generation of conductors who let us enjoy the music more than their egos. But no bad words about the established values. They will also be coming: the Mariinsky with Gergiev, Ivan Fischer with his Budapest Festival Orchestra and of course Philippe Herreweghe who conducts Mozart symphonies with the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden. Of course Jordi Savall with Le Concert des Nations must not be missing, but then we're in the Renaissance and Baroque.
For Beethoven Year 2020, BOZAR follows two approaches. The first approach is very classical, with major works, the best soloists and ensembles: the Missa Solemnis, the Quatuor Ebène, Kristian Bezuidenhout (who is incidentally coming 'in residence'), Thomas Hengelbrock and Fidelio, but the latter in an innovative setting, "semi-staged" with the Swedish Chamber Orchestra. And that is the second Beethoven approach with an interdisciplinary perspective: "do something different with Beethoven", with his correspondence, with Ictus, with marionettes … That will bring surprises, promises the programmer.
On 'Early Music' one more thing: Les Muffatti play Bach and Graupner. But Vivaldi will also be featured, with Jaroussky. And, very special, a completely new version of the Four Seasons with mandolin player Avi Avital and the Georgian Shadow Theatre Budrugana Gagra. Will we finally see the shadow side of the Venetian master? Countdown to December 7 …
Shamanic jazz?
In addition to trumpeter Wynton Marsalis with the Brussels Jazz Orchestra, BOZAR also welcomes his older brother and saxophonist Branford Marsalis three times: solo, with quartet and with the Belgian National Orchestra. Programmer Roel Vanhoeck also brought Cecile McLorin Salvant, a new, young (29) and grammy-award-winning jazz lady into the house. Chick Corea and Brad Mehldau are also guests again. And then Angélique Kidjo, a great singer who mixes classical music with rhythms from her African roots. She brings Philip Glass with the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra. For almost shamanic music finally, you should come and listen to the renowned Persian Shamss Ensemble of father and son Pournazeri. Are you ready for traditional Sufi and classical Iranian music? Here's a preview! "For nothing can be loved or hated unless it is first known" ...
The complete programme with the season brochure will be available on April 24. It will also include Fura dels Baus, violinist Julia Fischer, the Kronos Quartet, Alexandre Tharaud and Antonio Pappano … but BOZAR didn't reveal any more names.
- WHAT: press conference Music Highlights 2019-2020
- WHERE: The Royal Salon, BOZAR
- WHEN: Tuesday March 12, 2019
- PHOTO: © Julian Hargreaves - Sony Classical
- WEBSITE: discover the highlights online too …