Orchestre du Conservatoire royal de Bruxelles

As the first part of this tribute to Philippe Boesmans (1936–2022), the students of the Orchestre du Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles delve into his chamber and ensemble music. As a former composer-in-residence at La Monnaie, Boesmans masterfully translated dramatic tension to music. His operatic style resonates in L’eau douce du pardon, a work for soprano and ensemble set to French poems by Rainer Maria Rilke. In Boesmans’ instrumental music, his art permeates every note: from the dreamlike harmonies of the Sextuor à clavier to the sparkling trills and ornaments of Ornamented Zone. The six poetic miniatures from Chambres d’à côté call for exquisite delicacy from the chamber orchestra. Conductor Sylvain Cambreling, close friend and musical ally of Boesmans, serves as the perfect guide through this idiosyncratic universe.

Flagey, Conservatoire royal de Bruxelles, Boesmans Wave 26