Belgian National Orchestra & Otto Tausk

Luc Brewaeys regarded Ludwig van Beethoven as the greatest musical genius. Beethoven's Eighth Symphony was the inspiration for his own ‘Eighth’: 'I don't think mine will be as cheerful, but it will be an orgy of lush sounds.’ As in his other symphonic repertoire, Brewaeys also sought unique timbres in the orchestra: five solo horns are given a leading role, and in the second movement there is even an actual bottle organ. Only a few bars of the final movement were ever written down, but Annelies Van Parys pieced together a new finale, bar by bar, entirely in the style of Brewaeys.

The two ‘eighth’ symphonies are preceded by the ritualistic and contemplative 80 Breaths for Tokyo by British composer Jonathan Harvey, another of Brewaeys’ musical heroes and a good friend. 

Introduction

19:30 by Rebecca Diependaele (in Dutch) - Bozar Studio / Elsa De Lacerda (in French) - Salon Ovale (included in your ticket)

Estimated end of the concert at 21:30

Before or after the concert, you can visit the free mini-exhibition Musical Thoughts of Luc Brewaeys and dive into his fascinating scores and colourful musical language (next to Bar Henry Le Boeuf)

programme

Jonathan Harvey (1939-2012)

80 Breaths for Tokyo

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Op. 93 

1. Allegro vivace e con brio 
2. Allegretto scherzando
3. Tempo di menuetto 
4. Allegro vivace 

Luc Brewaeys (1959-2015) / Annelies Van Parys (1975)

Symphony No. 8 (world premiere)

Otto Tausk © Aaron Aubrey