deFilharmonie . Coll. Vocale Gent . Choeur Symph. de Namur - P. Herreweghe

Luc Brewaeys (b. 1959) is a Belgian composer who has made his mark internationally. In his symphonic work he is already on his Ninth Symphony. This will have its world premiere in June 2007. Brewaeys has chosen an arrangement for orchestra and chorus. And that said it is a large chorus - a fusion of Collegium Vocale Gent and Choeur Symphonique de Namur. Will he follow in the footsteps of Beethoven's Ninth with this large chorus arrangement or not? Come and find out for yourself. Brewaeys has had strong ties with deFilharmonie and deSingel for a long time. However, the first performance of his ninth will not take place in the Blue Hall. At the composer's request, the concert will be given in Antwerp Cathedral. How the symphony will sound in this venue will remain unknown until the day itself. But Brewaeys is prepared to give us a clue: 'I have always admired Thomas Tallis' forty-part motet for voices 'Spem in alium'. I want to do something similar, but add a symphonic orchestra. Just as in my first choral piece, I will write music for several sonnets by Petrarch. In the finale I foresee the mighty 'Trionfo della morte'. ... Two years ago I decided to dedicate this piece to my friend and colleague Luca Francesconi. Then I recorded his opera 'Ballata' and was impressed by the expressive quality of the chorus. I hope he will not be disappointed.' PLEASE NOTE! This concert has been cancelled because Luc Brewaeys is unable to complete his Ninth Symphony on time. Its first performance will not be given until the 2008-2009 (date still to be fixed).