a big festival that you share with other music lovers

Music as a magical and fragile equilibrium. With these words, festival artist Barbara Hannigan sets the tone for Klarafestival 2023, which takes place from 10 to 26 March. Curious as to how the audience experiences a Klarafestival concert, communications interns Yasmine and Ulrike listened to Gerda Willems and Bart Bosmans, two loyal visitors.

Hello Bart and Gerda, do you still remember your first concert at Klarafestival? Or how long ago it was?

Bart: Oh, that’s a good question. Not really no. I think it was probably about ten years ago.

Gerda: I’m really bad at remembering dates, but I think that I’ve regularly been going to concerts at Bozar and Flagey since the year 2000. I even go so often that I feel less need to put on music when I’m at home. The concert experience is so intense that music from a sound system is of little value to me any more. Despite my good music system, I rarely play music at home. The only place I still do it is in the car, because there you’re enveloped by the music.

This year’s theme is ‘Become Music’. According to our festival artist Barbara Hannigan, a classical concert is more than an individual and controlled experience. We achieve a magical equilibrium, where everyone in the hall takes part in a musical ritual as a single community. In a concert or theatre hall, do you feel connected to the people around you, both to other listeners and to the artists themselves?

Bart: Of course, to a certain extent you do. I mean, you look around, you see other people. If you were to sit there alone, then it really wouldn’t be much fun (laughs). During a concert, you don’t normally give it much thought, but people enjoying the music together is part of the experience. 

Gerda: Yes, I find the Klarafestival concerts magical events. You fall under the spell of the music when the whole hall is quiet, without coughing, and everyone is absorbed in the sounds. When I hear the first line of music, it is performed in such a way that it feels as if it’s speaking to me.

Bart, you say that you’ve never given it much thought. Do you find it an appropriate theme?

Bart: It’s a good theme. It’s another way of approaching a concert. The audience isn’t usually spoken about, except in terms of its enthusiasm perhaps (laughs). Also, without an audience there wouldn’t be much point in having a concert (laughs).

Gerda: That’s something I first need to experience. I can’t say it in advance or devise a theory around it in my head. I do think it’s a lovely theme.

Which elements make attending a concert a unique concert experience for you? 

Bart: For me the essence is hearing pieces that are not often performed. Thanks to the Klarafestival I’ve experienced several concerts in recent years that I would otherwise not immediately have bought tickets for. But I’m very happy that I’ve seen them.

Gerda: For me the Klarafestival is the perfect meeting place. It is a big festival that you share with other music lovers.

Is the Klarafestival something that you experience with family? Why do you, or why don’t you?

Bart: I don’t experience it with my family. Because my partner isn’t really interested in this type of music; for her it’s music for falling asleep to (laughs). So I usually go with a friend. 

Gerda: I come to Klarafestival with my husband. We call it our ‘annual festival’. We even plan our holiday around it (laughs).

What makes you come back to Klarafestival every year?

Gerda: It’s fun to see people again with whom I’m specifically connected through music. The selection of artists is always worth the effort too, and there are new things to discover every time.

Now a more playful question: I’m going to Klarafestival and I’m bringing?

Bart: Very occasionally, my bow tie (laughs). To dress up a little, but that doesn’t happen as often as I would like.

Gerda: I almost always have a book with me, to read during intervals. I also always wear earrings. It’s a festival, so I will always dress up in nice clothes and put on make-up.

As well as the Klarafestival, we also have our Klarafestival box. Which artist would you like to see in a private concert there?

Bart: That’s a good question. I would choose something with vocals, as I’m less keen on instrumental music. Philippe Jaroussky? But I don’t think that’s going to happen (laughs).

Gerda: Of artists that I’m familiar with. Brinkman or Walter Geus. And Boris Giltburg, I’ve just heard him and I’d certainly enjoy it if he played in the box for me (laughs). I’d also love to hear a concert with cello, that’s one of my favourite instruments.

To finish up, we’re going to present you with a few dilemmas. So let’s start: Bach or Beethoven?

Bart: Bach

Gerda: Bach

Young talent or established names?

Bart: Good question, I think 75% established names and 25% young talent (laughs).

Gerda: Hmm, that’s a difficult one. Established names I think.

Buy your ticket online or through the box office?

Bart: I usually buy my tickets online.

Gerda: I’ve grown used to buying a ticket online. But through the box office is a little more personal.

Matinée or evening concert?

Bart: I mostly go to evening concerts.

Gerda: I also opt for evening concerts.

Symphony orchestra or string quartet?

Bart: Symphony orchestra.

Gerda: The experience of live string quartets is what appeals to me the most. Because they speak to one another so intensely and interact very quick-wittedly, it sometimes seems improvised. I don’t know if that is the case but it sounds as if it’s being created in the moment itself. I find a grand symphonic concert too much to digest.

Now one more related to the festival. Conducting or singing?

Bart: I’d incline towards singing. 

Gerda: I believe that good conductors make a piece. They give it colour, allow the piece of music to speak in a certain way, and they either take you with them, or they don’t quite, even though it’s the same notes on paper.

Did you know that our festival artist does both?

Bart: Yes she does both. I’ve even known her to sing an opera, on high heels!

Gerda: Yes of course, she’s extraordinary!

Interview by Ulrike Vangoethem and Yasmine Ennassiri