Flagey chez soi: Karel Steylaerts

From their home to yours. With ‘Flagey chez soi’ we want to continue to share the joy of music on our feeds during this uncertain time. We asked some musicians who are very close to us, to tell you how they are coping with this crisis and to record a piece of music for you. We look forward to welcoming you back to Flagey when we reopen. Until then, enjoy the music and take care!

Today it's Karel Steylaerts’ turn, first cellist of our orchestra in residence Brussels Philharmonic, to play in ‘Flagey chez soi’. He gives you a message of hope with his interpretation of "El Cant del Ocells" (The song of the birds) composed by Pablo Casals.

"El Cant del Ocells" (The song of the birds) is a symbol, an ode to peace and freedom. This traditional Catalan Christmas and Cradle song dates from centuries ago, but became world-famous during the Second World War thanks to the cello version by cellist Pablo Casals (1876-1973). After Casals was exiled from his beloved Catalonia by the fascists and the Nazis in 1939, he played the song all over the world at the beginning of each of his performances. Although this instrumental version omits the original text about the joyful reactions of the birds when they hear about the birth of Christ, we can hear in each note the hope for a better world. 

Expect more beautiful performances by Casimir Liberski and Boris Giltburg in the coming days.