BOZAR Radar

Watch their concert

Wynton Marsalis, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra & Brussels Jazz Orchestra

It's been a year to the day that Wynton Marsalis and his Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra shared the BOZAR stage with the Brussels Jazz Orchestra. See you this Friday February 19 at 8pm to relive this concert experience.

— published on 18 February ’21
4 Pianos 4 Beethoven

The main attraction of the exhibition Hotel Beethoven was the ballroom with four reconstructions of pianos on which the German master once improvised and composed. Several melodies of Beethoven's piano music sounded from the pianos, to which Jorinde Voight coupled poetic transcriptions.

— published on 23 February ’21
An exceptional evening on the carbon footprint

On 18 February, starting at 7 pm, BOZAR is organising an online round table on the European responsibility for carbon dioxide emissions. An evening to be experienced live or to watch again on YouTube.

— published on 18 February ’21
Beethoven Pianoforte Sessions for Kids

Roll over Beethoven

BOZAR joins forces with Jeugd en Muziek Brussel and the Jeunesses Musicales de Bruxelles to put together a video geared for children, their parents and grandparents, teachers and all those who want to experience Beethoven’s piano music other than just by listening. Explore the music with your hands, your body, through singing, playing or admiring the visual creations of illustrator Larissa Viaene.

— published on 12 February ’21
The Henry Le Boeuf Hall and its history

Entirely designed by Victor Horta, the Henry Le Bœuf Hall offers a visual harmony and acoustic quality recognised by music legends worldwide. Inaugurated on 19 October 1929, it was later named after the businessman and banker who contributed actively to musical life in Brussels and in particular to the creation of this music mecca. In its 90 years of history, it has welcomed some of the world's very best artists. Here is a brief portrait of this mythical venue that was sadly damaged by fire on 18 January 2021.

— published on 08 February ’21
An exceptional architectural icon defies the flames

On 18 January, the Centre for Fine Arts was severely damaged by a fire that broke out on the building’s roof. BOZAR is determined to restore Victor Horta’s magnificent monument as soon as possible, and to ensure that this exceptional venue, and its rich history, will continue to play its rightful role in our country’s cultural life.

— published on 08 February ’21
BOZAR turns black, yellow and red for Belgian Music Week

BOZAR, initiators VI.BE and VRT and a wide range of people from across the music sector and various other media are all getting together behind Belgian Music Week. From Monday 8 to Sunday 14 February the spotlight will be on our home-grown music as we give the music industry a real boost. It is our way of supporting our rich Belgian music scene that is being hit so hard by the COVID crisis.

— published on 05 February ’21
An incredible saga

A threat of silence hangs over the organ

On Monday 18 January 2021, the roof of the Centre for Fine Arts caught fire. Although localised, the damage caused by the flames and the water used to extinguish them was significant. The organ – a musical and architectural gem set at the heart of the Henry Le Bœuf Great Hall – was one of the main victims, a new twist in the fate of this instrument whose dramatic history could provide the script for a television series. Devastated by a fire in 1967, it remained silent for half a century until its glorious reconstruction in 2017. We take a look back at the breathtaking saga of this pillar of our musical heritage.

— published on 22 January ’21
Online Concerts Series

BEETHOVEN PIANOFORTE SESSIONS

Listen to Beethoven’s music as it would have sounded in its day! The Beethoven Pianoforte Sessions, part of the HOTEL BEETHOVEN exhibition, offer the audience the subtle sounds of the fortepiano, the ancestor to the modern piano.

— published on 02 December ’20
Livestreams

Beethoven - From Ear to Here

What do orchestra director Philippe Herreweghe, writer Claudia Durastanti and psychiatrist Dirk De Wachter have in common? Undoubtedly, their passion for Beethoven’s music! The conference series Beethoven. From Ear to Here provides a kaleidoscope of perspectives. From the standpoint of Beethoven and his work, ten leading figures from wide-ranging backgrounds will reflect on the role of art in society, on artist engagement, and on listening and its role in democracy. The multiple viewpoints will give rise to a subjective and nuanced portrait of the German composer, as the world marks his 250th anniversary in 2020. The eight conferences will provide an in-depth look at Beethoven’s iconic stature and put his work into a present-day perspective.

— published on 21 October ’20
The beauty of reality

Who is Léonard Pongo?

For the very first time, photographer Léonard Pongo will be holding a solo exhibition in one of the many places he calls home, Brussels. Primordial Earth takes you on a dreamlike trip through the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to the artist's roots. But who is this Belgian-Congolese artist? An introduction.

— published on 05 February ’21
Online Concert

Quatuor Tana

Driven by great curiosity, Quatuor Tana is characterized by a unique sound, eclecticism and a constant exploration of contemporary music. Its concert on February 6 will combine the old (Beethoven and Debussy) and the new (Pärt, Shaw and Dessy): a beautiful variety of sounds.

— published on 04 February ’21
The story behind Facing Van Eyck

25,000 km, 6 years of research, 1 exhibition

Facing Van Eyck. The Miracle of Detail shows you the works of Jan van Eyck as you have never seen them before. Thanks to digital techniques and new scientific research by the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (KIK-IRPA), you can zoom in on details that you can hardly see with the naked eye. The exhibition is the fruit of years of research by the KIK-IRPA team.

— published on 04 February ’21
Online event

Soloists Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel

Young, promising soloists from all over the world develop their talents in the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel. First-class tutors and soloists nurture these young stars, to whom BOZAR is all too willing to offer its stage three times a year. During this live stream, several outstanding musicians will delight you with works by Beethoven and Schumann

— published on 04 February ’21
9 free online sessions on the social impact of making music

SIMM-posium #5

Every year since 2015, the international research platform SIMM (Social Impact of Music Making) has brought together experts from the fields of musical practice and research. After Brussels and Ghent, London, Porto and Bogota, the annual SIMM-posium returns to Belgium this winter, hosted by BOZAR.

— published on 03 February ’21
The last breath of our organ?

Cindy Castillo plays Jongen's Sonata Eroïca

Tuesday 2 February at 3pm, BOZAR and the label Musique en Wallonie invite you to discover the last recording made on the organ of the Centre for Fine Arts before the devastating fire on 18 January. The interpretation of Joseph Jongen's Sonata Eroïca by Cindy Castillo is part of an album project to be released in the spring. This composition, which was created by the composer at the inauguration of the organ in 1930, symbolizes our determination to restore Victor Horta’s masterpiece.

— published on 01 February ’21