Dmitri Shostakovich and Krzysztof Penderecki lived in turbulent times, with one facing censorship in Stalin's Russia and the other experiencing the oppression of his homeland's communist regime. The melancholy in their music reflects their personal struggles, yet hope resonates. Shostakovich's Piano Quintet, revered for its depth, innovation, and contrasting emotions, showcases each instrument uniquely contributing to the texture and narrative. Penderecki, in his melancholic Sextet—a remarkable display of his later style—accentuates the cello and horn, offering a prominent role.

Chamber music: Shostakovich and Penderecki

AMUZ (Festival van Vlaanderen Antwerpen)

Rachmaninov is mainly known for his famous monumental concertos and symphonies, but his chamber music is equally moving. His Piano Trio No. 1 has all the allure of a miniature piano concerto. Dvořák’s String Sextet in A Major is a remarkable series of character pieces, alternating between melancholy and exuberant dances. Both artists composed these works at the beginning of their magnificent careers. Who better to interpret these superb works than the musicians of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, together with the promising young musicians of the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel and Elisabeth Competition laureate Bomsori Kim in the magnificent setting of AMUZ.

Chambre music in AMUZ

After her participation in the 2015 Queen Elisabeth Competition for violin, Bomsori Kim shot to international fame. The South Korean violinist is in high demand worldwide as a soloist, thanks to her powerful performances of great masterpieces of the violin repertoire with leading orchestras. During the Elisabeth weekend, you have a unique opportunity to hear the acclaimed violinist perform several magnificent chamber music pieces, together with musicians of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra and the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, namely Rachmaninov’s Piano Trio No. 1 and Dvořák’s String Sextet No. 1.

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Chamber music at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel

Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel

During the annual Elisabeth Week, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra shines a spotlight on a laureate of the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Competition. Pianist Sergei Redkin, second prize winner in 2021 and former artist in residence at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, joins forces with musicians from the Music Chapel and Antwerp Symphony Orchestra principals. Known for his versatility in both orchestral and chamber music, Redkin leads this inspiring collaboration, uniting musicians from across the globe in an intimate musical dialogue.

Elisabeth week: chamber music with Sergei Redkin

During the annual Elisabeth Week, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra celebrates a laureate of the Queen Elisabeth Competition. This year’s guest is Sergei Redkin, second prize winner in 2021. Redkin takes us through the music of Prokofiev, a highlight of his repertoire. He performs the Third Piano Concerto – a dynamic dialogue between pianist and orchestra, culminating in a fiery finale. Under the baton of Valentin Uryupin, an expert in Russian repertoire, the orchestra also brings to life Rimsky-Korsakov’s Sheherazade, a symphonic poem full of vibrant orchestration and the sensuous world of One Thousand and One Nights.

Elisabeth week: Sergei Redkin & Sheherazade

Queen Elisabeth Hall

In 1921, Maurice Ravel bought a quaint little house in the small town of Montfort-l'Amaury, near Paris. He moved in with his books, his cat, his bird, Chinese vases, Japanese prints, and other oddities. But since his mother's death, he had to get used to waking up alone, doing his laundry, preparing his breakfast... Maurice smokes (far too much), Maurice composes, Maurice has insomnia, Maurice chooses his tie, Maurice plays with his cat... these are the memories that the doctor treasures of his dear friend and shares with us.

Explore the wonderful world of this fabulous composer, whose 150th birthday is celebrated in 2025, with puppeteer Charlotte Devyver, pianists Sergei Redkin and Christia Hudziy, and baritone Guillaume Paire.

A show by Sophie van der Stegen to introduce young and old to the poetic work of Maurice Ravel, an original creation by the Artichoke Company, founded in 2011, whose objective is to open classical music to all audiences, with humor and poetry.

Sergei Redkin

Events

Upcoming events

21 - 25 Jan, 2026

Elisabeth week: chamber music with Sergei Redkin · Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Jan 24, 2026

Elisabeth week: Sergei Redkin & Sheherazade · Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Mar 27, 2026

Maurice, piano et marionnette · Clermont Auvergne Opéra

Past events

Oct 13, 2024

Chamber music: Shostakovich and Penderecki · Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Jan 21, 2024

Chambre music in AMUZ · Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Future and recently performed repertoire

Piano in Piano Concerto No. 3 by Prokofiev

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Piano in Trio élégiaque No. 1 by Rachmaninoff

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Piano in Piano Quintet by Shostakovich

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Piano in String Sextet by Dvořák

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Piano in Sextet by Penderecki

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

About

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