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What’s On in Brussels : 22 – 28 November 2010

Monday, November 22, 2010

Been a bit pressed for time the last few days; here’s a rather short ‘What’s On’ for this week…

Monday 22nd November

  • Bartok’s Contrasts for clarinet trio; Honegger’s Symphony Nr 2 for string orchestra and Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet K581 : Risor Festival, Royal Brussels Conservatory, rue de la Regence, 1000 Brussels at 20:00.
  • Piano Recital – Beethoven’s Sonate Nr. 24, Liszt’s transcripitions of Schubert Lieder, a transcription of Prokofiev’s Ballet ‘Le pas d’acier’, Messiaen’s ‘Le Loriot’ and Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody Nr 2 : Kaoru Tashiro (piano), BOZAR Studio, rue Ravenstein 23, 1000 Brussels at 20:00.

Tuesday 23rd November

  • Bartok’s Divertimento for Strings, Berg’s 4 Pieces for Clarinet and Piano, Gustav Mahler, Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (arranged by Schönberg) and Brahms Piano Quartet Nr 1 : Risor Festival, Royal Brussels Conservatory, rue de la Regence, 1000 Brussels at 20:00.
Wednesday 24th November
  • Rolf Wallin’s ‘Under City Skin’, Lieder by Liszt, Duparc, Brahms, Wagner and Chausson, Debussy’s Cello Sonata and Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring (arranged for two pianos) : Risor Festival, BOZAR, rue Ravenstein 23, 1000 Brussels at 20:00.

Thursday 25th November

  • Ferenc Farkas’ Hungarian Dances, Albert Huybrechts’ Wind Quintet, Joseph Jongen’s Concerto for wind quintet, and György Kurtág‘s Wind Quintet:  Belgium meets Hungary, Soloists from the National Orchestra of Belgium, BOZAR, at 12:30.   20ieth century Belgian and Hungarian music for wind in the so-called ‘Nob’ Lunchtime Concerts (an unfortunate, but memorable concert series name for those acquainted with English slang…).
  • Pergolesi’s “Lo frate ‘nnamorato”, his Cantate “Nel chiuso centro”, his Violin Concerto and his Stabat Mater: Les Muffatti, with Céline Scheen (soprano), Damien Guillon (alto) and François Fernandez (violin), Royal Brussels Conservatory, rue de la Regence, 1000 Brussels at 20:00.  A celebration of Pergolesi’s birth 300 years ago.  Should be some lovely baroque dissonance-resolutions.
  • Mendelssohn’s 4th Symphony, Tchaikovsky’s 4th Symphony and Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez: Brussels Philharmonic with Berta Rogas (guitar), Flagey, Studio 4, Heilig Kruisplein, 1050 Ixelles at 20:15.

Friday 26th November

  • Martinu’s Nonet and Nino Rota’s Divertimento: Soloists from La Monnaie, De Munt, Muntplein, 1000 Brussels at 12:30.
  • Festival Loop 3 for contemporary music:  Gouttes et Expirateurs by Pierre Berthet (installation music) and Dances with Viola by Todor Todoroff and Dominica Eyckmans (electro-acoustic with viola and movement),  Espace Senghor, Chaussée de Wavre 366, 1040 Etterbeek at 20:15.  Fun to check out the sound samples (eg click on Dances with Viola).
  • Sufi Music and Poetry: A’ref, A tribute to Mahmoud Darwich, Moneim Adwan (oud, voice), Yassin Ayari (ney), Safwan Kenani (violin), Samir Homsi (percussion) and Taha Adnan (narration), BOZAR, Hall M, rue Ravenstein 23, 1000 Brussels at 20:30.
  • 12th century Music from Palermo: Panormos/Bal’harm/Palermo 1140, Graine de la Voix with Hassan Boufous and Hassan Benallal (Sufi vocals), and Adrian Sirbu and Cezar Vintila (Byzantine tradition), BOZAR, Horta Hall, rue Ravenstein 23, 1000 Brussels at 22:30.  The music tradition of the Cappella Palatina of Palermo.
Saturday 27th November
  • Festival Loop 3 for contemporary music: from 11:00 works by LABO#, Baudouin de Jaer and Laurent Pigeolet. At 20:15, Musique Nouvelles playing Gaëlle Hyernaux, Philippe Boesmans, Jacqueline Fontyn and Victor Kissine.  Loop is organized by the Forum des Compositeurs.  Expect experimental works often for unusual instruments, Espace Senghor, Chaussée de Wavre 366, 1040 Etterbeek from 11:00.
  • Piano Music by Schumann: Waldscenen, Sonata Nr 1, Fantasie Op 17, and Geistervariationen with Andras Schiff (piano), BOZAR, rue Ravenstein 23, 1000 Brussels at 20:00.
  • Algerian Chaabi Music: El Gusto Orchestra of Algiers, BOZAR, Hall M, rue Ravenstein 23, 1000 Brussels at 20:30.  Music for the documentary ‘El Gusto: The Good Mood’ by Safinez Bousbia.  There is an introduction in French with Bousbia and excerpts from the film.
Sunday 28th November
  • Piano Music : Liszt’s Funérailles, Messiaen’s ‘Le Merle de Roche’, Neuburger’s ‘Trois Chants de Maldoror and Chopin’s Sonata Nr 2: Jean-Frédéric Neuburger, BOZARSundays, rue Ravenstein 23, 1000 Brussels at 11:00.  A pianist-composer.
  • Mahler’s Symphony Nr 4 and Lalo’s Cello Concerto: National Orchestra of Belgiumwith Raphael Wallfisch (cello) and Hendrickje van Kerckhove (soprano), BOZAR, rue Ravenstein 23, 1000 Brussels at 15:00.  A afternoon repeat of last Friday’s programme, with a different cellist.  Curious.
  • Theatre: Homo Cordus, La Vie au Long du Violon with Claude Vonin, BOZAR Studio, rue Ravenstein 23, 1000 Brussels at 16:00.  In French.  Written and directed by Richard Navarro.  A professor traces the scientific development of string instruments -a comic musical play.  Unusual.
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What’s On in Brussels : 15 – 21 November

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Monday 15th November

  • Jazz: Brad Mehldau’s Highway Rider with Britten Sinfonia, Brad Mehldau (piano),  Joshua Redman (saxophone), Larry Grenadier (double bass), Jeff Ballard and Matt Chamberlain (drums), BOZAR, rue Ravenstein 23, 1000 Brussels at 20:00.  Very slick, but from what I’ve managed to hear, not quite my thing.
  • Jazz: Master Session, Eric Vermeulen (piano), Mimi Verderame (drums) and Sal La Rocca (bass), Sounds Jazz Club, Tulpstraat 28, 1050 Ixelles at 22:00.

Tuesday 16th November

  • Piano Recital : J.S.Bach’s Partita No. 1, Schönberg’s 6 kleine Klavierstücke Op. 19, Mendelssohn’s Lieder ohne Worte and Beethoven’s ‘Hammerklavier’ Sonata: Martin Helmchen, Royal Brussels Conservatory, at 20:00.
  • Musical theatre: Kafka-fragmenten, Peter Sellars with Dawn Upshaw (soprano) and Geoff Nuttall (violin), KVS Bol, Lakensestraat 146, 1000 Brussel at 20:00.  In Dutch.  I wish I could get to this one.
  • Blues: The Last/Lost Blues Survivors, Music Maker Foundation, Wolubilis, Paul Hymansln 251, 1200 Sint-Lambrechts-Woluwe at 20:30.  Advertised as the best of the blues in its purest form…
  • Jazz: The Hermia and Tassin Quartet, Bilou Doneux (drums), Julien Herne (bass), Julien Tassin (guitar), Manuel Hermia (sax), Sounds Jazz Club, rue de la Tulipe 28, 1050 Elsene at 22:00.

Wednesday 17th November

  • BASta! For Double Bass: Joris Vanvinckenroye, Zaal Molière, Naamsepoortgalerij, Bolwerksquare 3, 1050 Ixelles at 13:00.  If you’re in the neighbourhood, this should be lively.
  • Alessandro Scarlatti’s Stabat Mater, and works by Francisco Valls and Francisco Hernández Illana: Ricercar Consort, Encuentro, with Carlos Mena (alto) and Céline Scheen (soprano), Eglise des Minimes, Miniemenstr. 62, 1000 Brussel  at 20:00.  A baroque feast in appropriate setting.
  • Musical Theatre : Alles passeert – Jazzdelights, GC De Zeyp, Van Overbekeln. 164, 1083 Ganshoren at 20:00.  Calls up the old days of cabaret, revue and faded glory.  In Dutch.
  • Jazz: the Mathieu Robert Quartet, the Music Village, Steenstraat 50, 1000 Brussels at 20:30.
  • Jazz: the Pascal Mohy Trio, Pascal Mohy (piano), Sal La Rocca (double bass), Joost Van Schaik (percussions), Jazz Station, Leuvensestwg 193, 1210 Sint-Joost-ten-Node at 20:30.
  • Jazz: Oscar Trio Tribute to Oscar Peterson, Café Bonnefooi, Steenstraat 8, 1000 Brussels at 22:00.

Thursday 18th November

  • Mahler’s Symphony Nr. 9: deFilharmonie orchestra, BOZAR, rue Ravenstein 23, 1000 Brussels at 20:00.  Mahler’s last, and unfinished, symphony.
  • Jazz: Quebec Jazz 2010, the Rafael Zaldivar Trio, Jazz Station, Leuvensestwg 193, 1210 Sint-Joost-ten-Node at 20:30.
  • Jazz: Julie Jaroszewski Trio, Julie Jaroszewski (voice), Charles Loos (piano) and  Philippe Thuriot (accordion), The Music Village, rue des Pierres 50, 1050 Ixelles at 20:30.  This is being recorded live, doors open 19:00, on air 20:55.
  • Jazz: Visioni Sonore, Toine Thys (sax), Carlo Sezzi (drums), Manolo Cabras (double bass), Maurizio Pulina (piano), Sounds Jazz Club, Tulpstraat 28, 1050 Elsene at 22:00.

Friday 19th November

  • Tchaikovsky’s  String Sextet “Souvenir de Florence”: Soloists from the Monnaie, De Munt, Muntplein, 1000 Brussels at 12:30.
  • The Brussels Requiem by Howard Moody: Children’s Choir of the Monnaie and six schools, La Monnaie, Place de la Monnaie, 1000 Brussels at 19:00.
  • Mahler’s Symphony Nr. 4; Lalo’s Cello Concerto: National Orchestra of Belgium with Hendrickje van Kerckhove (soprano in the Mahler) and Sol Gabetta (cello), BOZAR, rue Ravenstein 23, 1000 Brussels at 20:00.  Well if you haven’t already had enough Mahler, here’s another symphonic experience.  Luckily there’s a cello concerto thrown in.
  • Contemporary Music: Balanescu Quartet, Zaal Molière, Galerie van de Naamsepoort, Bolwerksq. 3, 1050 Elsene at 20:00.  A mix of contemporary classical, folk, avant-garde and rock.
  • Greek Blues: Vinylio-Rebetiko, Maria Spyroglou (voice, def), Giannis Sarris (voice, bouzouki), Christos Sarantidis (voice, guitar), Art Base, Zandstr. 29, 1000 Brussel at 20:00.
  • Jazz: Lady sings the groove – Ilse Duyck Group, GC De Zepy, Van Overbekeln 164, 1083 Ganshoren at 20:00.  Jazz standards.
  • Jazz: Quebec Jazz 2010, the Rafael Zaldivar Trio, Jazz Station, Leuvensestwg 193, 1210 Sint-Joost-ten-Node at 20:00.  On again tonight with in addition Stéphane Mercier (saxophone, flute) and Vincent Brijs (saxophone).
  • Jazz manouche: Trotsky Tulski Trio, Café Floreo, Rijke Klarenstraat 19, 1000 Brussel at 21:00.
  • Jazz: Maxime Blésin HBS 6 Project, Maxime Blésin (voice, guitar), Eric Prost (saxophone), Greg Houben (trumpet), Pascal Mohy (piano), Sal La Rocca (bass) and Hans van Oosterhout (drums), The Music Village, Steenstraat 50, 1000 Brussels at 21:00.  Classic Jazz with many familiar names; the project extends over two days.
  • Jazz: Intrigo, Chicca Andriollo (percussions), Laurent Doumont (saxophone), Lionel Boccara (drums), Oscar Marchioni (organ), Sounds Jazz Club, Tulpstraat 28, 1050 Elsene at 22:00.

Saturday 20th November

  • Jazz: Quebec Jazz 2010 – Jean-Nicolas Trottier Quartet, Jazz Station, Leuvensesteenweg 193, 1210 Sint-Joost-ten-Node at 18:00.
  • Boogie Woogie: Lasse E. Jensen, ‘Danish Boogie Boy’, Art Base, Zandstraat 29, 1000 Brussels at 20:00.
  • Jazz: Maxime Blésin HBS 6 Project, Maxime Blésin (voice, guitar), Eric Prost (saxophone), Greg Houben (trumpet), Pascal Mohy (piano), Sal La Rocca (bass) and Hans van Oosterhout (drums), The Music Village, Steenstraat 50, 1000 Brussels at 21:00.  Second day (see above).
  • Brussels Rhythm ‘n Blues with ” Jive” and ” Los Malditos Mojarras”, Sounds Jazz Club, Rue de la Tulipe 28, 1050 Elsene at 22:00.

Sunday 21st November

  • Harpsichord recital, J.S. Bach’s Partita Nr. 6 and works by Weckmann, Froberger and Blancherocher: Julien Wolfs, BOZARSundays, rue Ravenstein 23, 1000 Brussels at 11:00.  A Baroque solo harpsichord concert.
  • The Brussels Requiem by Howard Moody: Children’s Choir of the Monnaie and six schools, La Monnaie, Place de la Monnaie, 1000 Brussels at 14:00 and 17:00.  (See above.)
  • Puccini’s Capriccio Sinfonico, Martucci’s orchestral song cycle La Canzone dei Ricordi and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony Nr. 4: La Monnaie Symphony Orchestra wi th Anna Caterina Antonacci (soprano), BOZAR, rue Ravenstein 23, 1000 Brussels at 20:00.  Deeply romantic.
  • Jazz: Round about five – Rüdiger Carl (accordion, saxophone and clarinet), L’Archiduc, Antoine Dansaertstraat 6, 1000 Brussels at 17:00.  An experienced improviser.
  • Daniel Schell – Contemporay Music: Alessandra Garosi (piano) plays ‘Sky’ Premiere of the ‘Zodiac’ cycle.  A programme with visual astral images, Art Base, Rue de Sable 29, 1000 Brussels at 18:00.
  • Jazz: Nicola Lancerotti Quartet, Nicola Lancerotti (bass), Nelida Bandello (drums), Daniele Martini and Jordi Grognard (saxophones), Café Roskam, Vlaamsesteenweg 9, 1000 Brussels at 20:00.  Free entry.
  • Estonian Jazz : Tanel Ruben 5-tet, Tanel Ruben (drums),  Kristjan Randalu (piano), Raivo Tafenau (saxophone), Kadri Voorand (voice) and Taavo Remmel (bass), The Music Village, Steenstraat 50, 1000 Brussels at 20:30
Musical Theatre (amateur): Zingt Jubilate of de schoonheid van het zinkend schip, on 19, 20, 24, 25, 26 and 27 November at GC De Markten, Oude Graanmarkt 5, 1000 Brussels at 20:30.  About nostagia for the glory days of the Choir.  A D°eFFekt production.
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What’s On in Brussels 8 – 14 November 2010

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Sadly, a combination of school holidays and technical problems means no What’s On this week. Munich was good though…

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What’s on in Brussels : 1 – 7 November

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Monday 1st November

  • Jazz: Master Session, Eric Vermeulen (piano), Mimi Verderame (drums) and Sal La Rocca (double bass), Sounds Jazz Club, rue de la Tulipe 28, 1050 Ixelles at 22:00.  Haven’t got a music link for this trio, but here’s Sal La Rocca.
  • Piano Bar: Victor Abel, Café Bonnefooi, rue des Pierres 8, 1000 Brussels at 22:00.  Ambiance!

Tuesday 2nd November

  • Jazz: Raf Debacker Trio, Raphaël Debacker (keyboards), Cédric Raymond (bass) and Lionel Beuvens (drums), Théâtre Marni, rue des Vergnies 25, 1050 Ixelles at 21:30.  This week this easy to listen to trio is at the Marni.
  • Jazz: Ewout Pierreux Quintet, Ewout Pierreux (piano), Jean-Paul Estiévenart (trumpet), Bruno Vansina (sax), Clemens van der Feen (bass) and Lieven Venken (drums), The Music Village, Steenstraat 50, 1000 Brussel at 20:30.  Very smooth.

Wednesday 3rd November

  • Prokofiev’s Cello Sonata and Moscheles Cello Sonata: Olsi Leka (cello) and Daniel Blumenthal (piano), BOZAR, Hall M, Rue Ravenstein 23, 1000 Brussels at 12:40.  An intimate lunch concert with my favourite instrument, and only 6 euros!
  • Jazz: Augusto Piroda Quartet, Augusto Piroda (piano) Ben Sluijs (saxophone, flute), Manolo Cabras (double bass)and Marek Patrman (drums), Jazz Station, Leuvensesteenweg 163, 1210 Saint Josse at 20:30.  Free jazz.
  • Jazz: Pink Free Evolution at Café Bonnefooi, Steenstraat 8, 1000 Brussels at 22:00. Experimental, but quite soft.

Thursday 4th November

  • Debussy, Schubert and Ravel Violin Sonatas and Messiaen’s Theme and Variations for violin and piano: Janine Jansen (violin) and Itamar Golan (piano), Royal Brussels Conservatory, Regentschapsstraat 30, 1000 Brussel at 20:00.  Tickets from 23 euros.
  • Blues: Marc Lelangue Band, Alain Palizeul (trombone), Chantal Kashala (voice), Laurent Doumont (tenor sax), Marc Lelangue (guitar & vocals), Nina Babet (voice), Olivier Bodson (trumpet), Patrick Dorcéan (drums) and Philippe Reul (keyboards), Sound Jazz Club, Tulpstraat 28, 1050 Ixelles at 22:00.  No audio easily available, but he’s a blues man.
  • Klezmer Music: Krupnik, Joëlle Strauss (violin, viola and voice), Jean-Pierre Debacker (clarinet), André Reinitz (piano, accordion and voice), Vilmos Csikos (bass), The Music Village, Steenstraat 50, 1000 Brussels at 20:30.  Jewish music from Eastern Europe – a unique style.
  • Jazz: Jazz Station Big Band, Stéphane Mercier (alto sax), Daniel Stokart (alto sax), Fred Delplancq (tenor sax), Vincent Brijs (baritone sax), Peer Baierlein (trompet), Michel Paré (trompet), Martial Delangre (trompet), Dree Peremans (trombone), David Devrieze (trombone) Gilles Repond (bass trombone), Vincent Bruyninckx (piano), François Decamps (guitar), Piet Verbiest (contrabass) and Herman Pardon (drums), Jazz Station, Leuvensesteenweg 163, 1210 Sint-Joost at 20:00.  Should be excellent if big band is your thing.

Friday 5th November

  • Ignaz Vitzthumbs and contemporaries (Grétry, Gossec): Paleis van Karel Van Lotharingen, Music Department of the Royal Library of Belgium, Museumplein 1, 1000 Brussels at 12:30.  18th century opera fragments.  Tickets only 5 euros.
  • Mozart’s ?, Beethoven’s ? and Chopin’s ? : Ensemble Orchestral de Bruxelles with Frédéric Rouel (piano), Royal Brussels Conservatory, Regentschapsstr. 3, 1000 Brusselat 20:00.  Sadly, the details of this concert are impossible to find at present.  Which puts me off going, frankly.
  • Jazz: Robin Verheyen Quartet, Bill Carrothers (piano), Dré Pallemaerts (drums),Nicolas Thys (bass)and Robin Verheyen (sax), Sounds Jazz Club, Tulpstraat 28, 1050 Ixelles at 22:00.  Also playing Saturday night.
  • Jazz: Phillipe Duchemin (piano), Dano Haider (guitar), Sam Gerstmans (bass), The Music Village, rue des Pierres 50, 1000 Brussels at 21:00.  Classic swing jazz, very cleanly executed.
  • Blues: Coco Montoya, GC Nekkersdal, E. Bockstaelln. 107, 1020  Laken at 20:00.  The newly formed Brussels Blues Society launches a series of concerts designed to put blues back centre-stage.

Saturday 6th November

  • Jazz: Lewinsky Quartet, Rolf Delfos (sax), Pascal Vermeer (drums) and Arno Krijger (Hammond organ), Jazz Station, Leuvensesteenweg 163, 1210 Sint-Joost at 18:00.  This is a good one for everyone, I think.  Very nice.
  • Jazz: Michel Mainil Quartet, Michel Mainil (sax), Alain Rochette (piano), José Bedeur (bass), Antoine Cirri (drums), The Music Village, Steenstraat 50, 1000 Brussel at 21:00.  Experimental, ‘surrealist’ jazz.

Sunday 7th November

  • Iranian music: Shahkilid “Nedaye Asemani”, Dadmehr (tombak, daf), Shahram Mirialali (tar, barbat), Davood Varzideh (ney) and Jan Kuijken (cello), BOZARSundays, Ravensteinstraat 23, 1000 Brussel at 11:00.  3 Iranian musicians and a Belgian cellist who improvise.  Distinctly Persian.  Tickets 8 euros, or 11 euros with breakfast.
  • Victor Kissine’s Cello Sonata and String Trio: Serge Clément (piano), Eric Robberecht (violin) and Jean-Pol Zanutel (cello), Espace Senghor, CC d’Etterbeek, Chaussée de Wavre 366, 1040 Etterbeek at 11:30.  Works by a contemporary Russian composer, rather in the old style.  There is a dance workshop before the concert based on the music to be played (novel idea).
  • North Indian Raga Music: David Trasoof and Arup Sen gupta (sarode and tabla), Art Base, 29 rue des Sables, 1000 Brussels at 18:00. More Indian music at Art Base this week.
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What’s on in Brussels : 25 – 31 October 2010

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Monday 25th October

  • Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto Op 35, Glinka’s Overture Russlan and Ludmilla and César Franck’s Symphony in D minor: National Orchestra of Belgium and Lorenzo Gatto, BOZAR, Rue Ravenstein 23, 1000 Brussels at 20:00.  A concert in aid of the Salus Sanguinis Children’s foundation.
  • Brahms Piano Sonata, Violin Sonata, Piano Trio, Clarinet Trio and Horn Trio: Les XXI (Daniel Blumenthal (piano), Andrew Hardy (violin), Jeroen Reuling (cello) and Yumiko Kawai (clarinet), Wolubilis, ave Paul Hymans 251, 1200 Woluwe-Saint-Lambert at 20:00.  A lot of Brahms.
  • Piano Bar: Martin Daniel, Café Bonnefooi, Steenstraat 8, 1000 Brussels at 22:00.  This week’s piano bar is with a young classically trained pianist who mixes jazz, hip-hop, electro, funk and reggae.
  • Jazz: Master Sessions (Bart De Nolf (contrabas), Bruno Castellucci (drums), Michael Blass (piano)), Sounds Jazz Club, Rue de Tulipe 28, 1050 Ixelles at 22:00.  Last chance (this time round) to catch these guys at Sounds.

Tuesday 26th October

  • Joseph Brodsky’s poetry accompanied by improvised music: Dirk Roofthooft (actor) and Kris Defoort (composer/pianist), Kaaitheater, Sainctelettesquare 20, 1000 Brussel at 20:30.  In Dutch with French surtitles.  Unusual and definitely worth seeing.
  • Jazz: Raf Debacker Trio (Cedric Raymond (bass), Lionel Beuvens (drums), Raphael Debacker (piano)), Sounds Jazz Club, Tulpstraat 28, 1050 Ixelles at 22:00.  Another chance to hear them.

Wednesday 27th October

  • Beethoven’s String trio Nr 4, op. 9, Dohnanyi’s Serenade op. 10 and Sorensen’s Gondola l’Amore: Trio Aristos, BOZAR, Hall M, Ravensteinstraat 23, 1000 Brussels at 12:40.
  • Jazz: Twanque (Domien Holthof (laptop), Frederik Lebeer (keyboards), Andrew Claes (saxophone/electronica) and Thibault Dille (accordion), VUB Kultuurcafé, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Ixelles at 12:30.  A free lunchtime concert with young musicians from the Brussels’ Conservatory.
  • Mahler’s Rücker Lieder, Schreker’s Nachtstück and Brahms’ Symphony Nr. 4: Münchner Philharmoniker and Renée Fleming (soprano), BOZAR, Ravensteinstraat 23, 1000 Brussels at 20:00.
  • Jazz: Narcissus (Robin Verheyen (saxophone), Guillermo Celano (guitar), Jozef Dumoulin (piano, Fender Rhodes), Clemens van der Feen (bass), Flin van Hemmen (drums)), Jazz Station, Leuvensesteenweg 163, 1210 Sint Joost at 20:30.  A soft, fluid sort of jazz.
  • Jazz: Todd Bishop Pop Art 4, Café Bonnefooi, Steenstraat 8, 1000 Brussels at 22:00.  A nice mix of jazz and electronics.  Loungy.

Thursday 28th October

  • Bruckner’s Mass Nr. 2, Brahms’ Lieder and Cornelius’ Requiem: Collegium Vocale Gent, the Accademia Chigiana Siena and I Solisti del Vento, BOZAR, Rue Ravenstein 23, 1000 Brussels at 20:00.
  • Jazz: Phil Abraham Quartet (Ron van Rossum (trombone), Sal La Rocca (contrebass), Jan De Haas (drums), Jazz Station, Leuvensesteenweg 163, 1210 Sint Joost at 20:00.  Tight jazz, but you have to like scatting (I’m not such a great fan).
  • Jazz: Manuel Hermia Trio (Joao Lobo (drums), Manolo Cabras (contrebass) and Manuel Hermia (saxophone, flute), Sounds Jazz Club, rue de la Tulipe 28,  1050 Ixelles at 22:00.  These guys are seriously cool.  Youtube clip.

Friday 29th October

  • Janácek’s String Quartet Nr 2 and Martinu’s String Quartet Nr 5: Soloists from the Monnaie (Nana Kawamura, Gudrun Vercampt, Yves Cotrvrint and Sebastien Walner), De Munt, Place de la Monnaie, 1000 Brussel at 12:30.  In the Concertino series of chamber music on Friday lunchtimes, this programme of Czech music will be refreshingly different.
  • Richard Strauss: Metamorphosen &  4 Last Songs; Brahms‘ 3rd Symphony. Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra and Christiane Oelze (soprano), Flagey Studio 4, Heilig Kruisplein, 1050 Ixelles at 20:15.
  • Mozart’s Concertone for 2 Violins and Orchestra, his Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra, his Concerto for 2 Pianos and his Symphony Nr. 21: Orchestre Royal de Chambre de Wallonie with Lorenzo Gatto and Augustin Dumay (violins), Antoine Tamestit (viola), and Christia Hudziy and Amandine Savary (piano), BOZAR, Ravensteinstraat 23, 1000 Brussels at 20:00.  Seems a long programme – but a feast for Mozart fans.
  • Machaut’s ‘Remède de Fortune’: Marc Mauillon (voice), Vivabiancaluna Biffi (fiddle, voice), Pierre Hamon (flute), Angélique Mauillon (harp), Eglise Notre-Dame du Bon Secours, Kolenmarkt 91
    1000 Brussel at 20:00.  Machaut’s medieval ‘Lover’s Complaint’ will be a rare treat in a fun part of town.
  • Jazz: The New Orleans Roof Jazzmen, The Music Village, Steenstraat 50, 1000 Brussels at 21:00.  Old style jazz veterans.
  • Jazz: Adrien Volant Quartet, Adrien Volant (trumpet), Guillaume Vierset (guitar), Antoine Pierre (percussion) and Felix Zurstrassen (bass), Café Floreo, Rijke Klarenstraat 19, 100 Brussel at 21:00.
  • Jazz: Da Romeo’s Band, Sounds Jazz Club, Tulpstraat 28, 1050 Ixelles at 22:00.  Smooth and funky.

Saturday 30th October

  • Festival Oh So Choir: Organised by Koor&Stem in the Flagey building.  Events spread over the weekend ending with a concert by the Vlaams Radio Koor, though it’s not clear what they’ll be singing.
  • Jazz: Pink Free Evolution (Alexandre Cavaliere (violin), Baptiste Baily (bass), Davy Palumbe (drums), Jazz Station, Leuvensesteenweg 163, 1210 Sint Joost at 18:00.  Take the whole family to a 18:00 Jazz Station event – highly recommended.
  • Indian Classical Music: Bert Cornelis (sitar, surbahar) and Udhav Shinde (pakhawaj), Art Base, rue des Sables 29, 1000 Brussels at 20:00.  Check the link for a sample.

Sunday 31st October

  • Arensky’s Piano Quintet in D major and Chausson’s Concert for Piano, Violin and String Quartet: Rubens Ensemble, BOZARSundays, Ravensteinstraat 23, 1000 Brussels at 11:00.
  • Greek Music for Voice and Piano: Alkistis Protopsalti (voice) and Stefanos Korkolis (piano), BOZAR, Hall M, Rue Ravenstein 23, 1000 Brussels at 20:00.
  • Danish Music: Helene Blum (voice, fiddle, guitar), Harald Haugaard (fiddle, mandolin, voice), Kristine Elise Pedersen (cello) and Rasmus Zeeberg (guitar, mandolin), Art Base, Zandstraat 29, 1000 Brussels at 19:00.  A folky blend of old and new Danish music.
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