Ensor in concert: symphonic paintings

Roderick Cox, Benjamin Beilman
Antwerp Symphony Orchestra
Fri 04.10.2024 – 20:00
Queen Elisabeth Hall, Antwerpen
Past event
Fri 04.10.24
20:00
Past event

Inspired by Flemish painters, Flor Alpaerts composed the extravagant James Ensor suite. In this Ensor year, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra pays tribute to the Ostend master, coinciding with an exhibition at the KMSKA. Erich Wolfgang Korngold's Violin Concerto, infused with quotes from his iconic film scores, reflects his Hollywood success after fleeing to America in the 1930s. Young prodigy Benjamin Beilman interprets this delightful concerto with folk nuances, reminiscent of Korngold's Czech roots. Béla Bartók, fleeing to America during World War II, crafted his Concerto for Orchestra with an intuitive, even 'brutal' style, featuring orchestral sections in a vibrant composition with fluid melodies and a sophisticated dialogue.

Afbeelding: James Ensor, Verbazing van het masker Wouse, inv.nr. 2042, foto: Cedric Verhelst, Collectie KMSKA - Vlaamse Gemeenschap (public domain)

 

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Before the concert, you can attend a musical introduction about and featuring music by James Ensor and contemporaries, with pianist Jan Michiels and Ensor expert Herwig Todts. See all the info here.

Program

Alpaerts James Ensor Suite

Korngold Concerto for Violin in D major, opus 35

Bartók Concerto for Orchestra