As tradition dictates, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra rings in the New Year with a musical journey to Vienna. For 2026, the celebration begins in Spain, with guitarist Juan Manuel Cañizares performing Joaquín Rodrigo’s melancholic Concierto de Aranjuez, a jewel of the classical guitar repertoire. Manuel de Falla’s vibrant Spanish folk dances follow, setting the stage for a Viennese festivity. Then the Viennese party really erupts, because waltzes and polkas and Johann Strauss Jr.: this belongs to New Year as much as fireworks and bubbles!

New Year's Concert

Queen Elisabeth Hall

The Antwerp Symphony Orchestra welcomes top international soloists and likes to give them a platform to share knowledge with young talents. Such open master classes are not only valuable learning moments for the students themselves, but are also particularly enriching experiences for the audience, who get an exclusive insight into an artist's development process.

Open masterclass with Antoine Tamestit

Embark on a journey through grand themes and musical innovation, from Rachmaninov’s haunting The Isle of the Dead to Ligeti’s revolutionary Atmosphères, and Ravel’s vibrant Piano Concerto in G with its jazzy flair and tender melodies. The Bayerisches Staatsorchester, one of the world’s oldest orchestras, brings its rich tradition to the Queen Elisabeth Hall under the inspired baton of Vladimir Jurowski. French piano legend Hélène Grimaud graces the stage with her unmatched artistry. The evening culminates in Strauss’ Also sprach Zarathustra, with its iconic opening and sweeping drama. A concert of introspection, experimentation, and grandeur that will leave a lasting impression.

Hélène Grimaud and the Bayerisches Staatsorchester

Under the direction of General Music Director Vladimir Jurowski, the Bavarian State Orchestra will perform three European works from the fin de siècle to the 1920s, which, in their contrasts, reflect the upheavals of the early 20th century. Sergei Rachmaninoff’s symphonic poem The Isle of the Dead , inspired by the haunting gloom of Arnold Böcklin’s painting of the same name, will be contrasted by Maurice Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major, with which Italian pianist Beatrice Rana will make her Bavarian State Opera debut. The concerto, perfectly formed in classicism, embodies the radiant optimism of the 1920s with elements of blues and jazz. Richard Strauss’ Also Sprach Zarathustra stands between the melancholy of the afterlife and the affirmation of life: first performed in 1896 at the end of the 19th century, this tone poem, rich in contrast and unresolved in its conflicts, already points the way to what is to come. The modernity of the composition, which was expected with suspicion and received with astonishment in its time, is demonstrated not least by its use in Stanley Kubrick's monumental film 2001: A Space Odyssey , which in turn points far into the future.

EPSG:4326

Guest concert of the Bavarian State Orchestra

Philharmonie Luxembourg

Cité de la Musique

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Finnish composer Ida Moberg’s Sunrise vividly portrays the sun’s morning ascent, setting a serene yet dynamic tone. Haydn’s Symphony No. 39, Storm at Sea, contrasts erratic bursts with sudden silences, blending Sturm und Drang with Romantic foreshadowing. Dvořák’s Seventh Symphony shifts between drama and lightness, while Martinů’s Rhapsody Concerto combines Romantic warmth with lyrical elegance. The spotlight falls on violist Antoine Tamestit, whose artistry brings Martinů’s effervescent concerto to life alongside the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra.

The sound of the Czech Republic with Antoine Tamestit

Music Center De Bijloke

Ida Moberg’s Sunrise gently portrays the sun’s morning ascent, showcasing the Finnish composer’s pioneering role in symphonic music. Antonín Dvořák’s dramatic yet light-filled Seventh Symphony reveals Brahms’ influence. Jacques Ibert’s elegant Flute Concerto, a standout in the limited flute repertoire, offers a perfect stage for the orchestra’s own Edith Van Dyck to shine. A programme of hidden gems, ready to be discovered.

Dvořák on Sunday morning

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

AMUZ (Festival van Vlaanderen Antwerpen)

Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel

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

Séraphine is an ordinary girl who lives in a tree, but when she explores its belly, music emerges! Guided by glowworms, she meets an instrument maker and discovers her love for the violin. This enchanting journey introduces both young and old to the full symphonic orchestra. The narrator leads the way, while the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra performs the magical music of contemporary French composer Nicolas Bacri. (performance in Dutch)

De Muziekboom (6+)

In Foe, Kristien De Proost, Görges Ocloo, Josse De Pauw and Rinus Martha Chaerle engage with J.M. Coetzee's novella of the same name, in which the well-known story of Robinson Crusoe is told from a different perspective. A performance about the right to speak, the importance of imagination and the need to transcend the islands in our thinking and actions. Kristien De Proost reworks the novel of the same name by South African author J.M. Coetzee into an intimate musical theatre performance, Görges Ocloo composes the music. 

Toneelhuis - Antwerpen (BE)

CC 't Waaigat

Cultuurcentrum Brugge

Bijloke Wonderland - LOD studio

Cultural center Strombeek Grimbergen

CC Het Spoor

Het Perron Cultural Center

CC De Plomblom

Cultural center De Warande

CC De Schakel

Lithuanian conductor Giedrė Šlekytė masterfully bridges the worlds of symphonic music and opera, making this programme a perfect fit for her talents. Schreker’s Nachtstück from Der ferne Klang evokes a haunting allure, with a mysterious sound that ties the protagonist to a lost love. Bartók’s The Miraculous Mandarin brims with tension, its stark opening capturing the harshness of urban life. His Second Violin Concerto, composed amidst the rise of fascism, balances raw power with tender lyricism. Alena Baeva, laureate of the 2005 Queen Elisabeth Violin Competition, brings these emotions to life, and the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra is thrilled to share the stage with her.

Alena Baeva plays Bartók

A top Czech orchestra brings a top Czech programme to Antwerp. The Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, led by the inspiring Alevtina Ioffe, showcases its acclaimed identity with finesse and vision. Joining them is Canadian violinist Timothy Chooi, a Queen Elisabeth Competition laureate and one of the most exciting talents of his generation. Martinů’s lively Overture sets the tone, followed by Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, a masterpiece of breathtaking melodies. The evening concludes with Bohemian flair: Dvořák’s intimate Romance in F minor leads seamlessly into his grand Symphony No. 8, where Czech folk music bursts with energy and authenticity.

Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra

Sitting still during a concert? Not this time! The ground- breaking concept ‘Doe Maar Mee’ was specially designed for people who experience barriers at regular concerts. The Antwerp Symphony Orchestra thus offers an inclusive concert experience for everyone who wants to experience classical music in a different way. Because there is no doubt that classical music has a positive influence on mental well- being – and everyone deserves to reap the benefits.

Doe Maar Mee

Johannes Brahms and Richard Wagner – two Romantic giants with distinct musical voices. Brahms’ Second Piano Concerto, often called a ‘symphony with soloist,’ blends piano and orchestra in perfect harmony. Pianist Garrick Ohlsson joins the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra to bring this masterpiece to life. Wagner’s monumental Götterdämmerung, the final chapter of Der Ring des Nibelungen, offers excerpts of breathtaking intensity. Conductor Michael Sanderling made a careful selection, creating an unforgettable live experience in the concert hall.

Wagner's Götterdämmerung

Spend your Sunday morning in excellent company as Michael Sanderling leads the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra in Brahms’ Second Piano Concerto. Known as a ‘symphony with soloist’, this Romantic masterpiece gives equal prominence to piano and orchestra. Sanderling, a seasoned Brahms interpreter, brings his expertise to the Queen Elisabeth Hall, while acclaimed American pianist Garrick Ohlsson takes on the challenging solo part. A master of Romantic repertoire, Ohlsson ensures this performance will be nothing short of extraordinary.

Piano on Sunday morning

Starting in the 2026-2027 season, Marc Albrecht will take up the baton as principal conductor of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra. This season, he returns to Antwerp with music by Brahms, a composer he has admired since receiving his first Brahms score at age 12. Brahms’ First Piano Concerto, originally conceived as a sonata and later adapted into a symphony, reflects his early struggles with the symphonic form. Martin Helmchen, a cherished guest of the orchestra, performs this Beethoven-inspired masterpiece. Arnold Schoenberg’s orchestration of Brahms’ First Piano Quartet, crafted 80 years after the original, transforms the piece into a stunning tribute to one of the 19th century’s greatest symphonic composers.

Marc Albrecht conducts Brahms

Music history is filled with moments that leave an indelible impression. Elgar’s Cello Concerto opens with the melancholic embrace of the cello, followed by the orchestra’s emotional response, conveying beauty, simplicity, and deep sadness. Written after World War I, it reflects Elgar’s disbelief in humanity and the sorrow following immense suffering. Similarly, Shostakovich, under the heavy hand of Stalin’s regime, spent years balancing his personal expression with political restrictions. Yet, this programme is not all sorrow. Shostakovich’s playful finale and Elgar’s glimmers of hope are complemented by Rimsky- Korsakov’s vibrant Capriccio espagnol. After the storm, the sun shines again. The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra is conducted by Finnish maestro Santtu-Matias Rouvali, with Senja Rummukainen, a gifted cellist from Finland, performing Elgar’s masterpiece.

Santtu-Matias Rouvali conducts the Rotterdam Philharmonic

Discover the fiery music of French composer Hector Berlioz in this fun KID concert! While the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra plays his Symphonie fantastique, actors bring Hector’s life story to life: how he defied his father to become a composer, his unrequited love for Estelle, and his eventual reconciliation with his dad. Through Berlioz’s powerful music, children can feel the emotions behind his story. Do you feel your heart pounding too? (performance in Dutch)

De Fantastische Symfonie (6+)

Easter is Bach time, and his St Matthew Passion is the pinnacle of this tradition. In this masterpiece, Bach weaves suffering, repentance, and redemption into a profound spiritual journey that resonates deeply with every listener. Under the inspired baton of baroque specialist Laurence Cummings, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra and the Vlaams Radiokoor join forces to deliver a moving performance. Soprano Carolyn Sampson enchants with her ethereal voice, while tenor Joshua Ellicott brings dramatic intensity as the Evangelist. This exceptional cast immerses you in a transcendent musical experience.

Bach's St Matthew Passion

The kaleidoscopic song cycle The Blue Hour brings our introspective meanderings to an end around midnight. Five leading female composers - Rachel Grimes, Angélica Negrón, Shara Nova, Caroline Shaw and Sarah Kirkland Snider - set to work on Carolyn Forché's poignant poetry. The work reduces memories, loss and love into an intimate portrait of a single life, in which the personal provides a lens for the universal. With influences ranging from Renaissance polyphony to modern sound experiments, The Blue Hour illuminates how we deal with life's uncontrollable realities. At this late hour, when silence and sound merge, The Blue Hour asks you to close your eyes one more time.

Events in Antwerpen

New Year's Concert

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Open masterclass with Ant...

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Hélène Grimaud and the Ba...

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Guest concert of the Bava...

Bayerisches Staatsorchester

The Artelize Podcast and ...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast - A ...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast: A l...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast and ...

Artelize

The sound of the Czech Re...

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Dvořák on Sunday morning

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Elisabeth week: chamber m...

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Elisabeth week: Sergei Re...

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

De Muziekboom (6+)

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Foe

LOD muziektheater

Alena Baeva plays Bartók

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Prague Radio Symphony Orc...

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Doe Maar Mee

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Wagner's Götterdämmerung

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Piano on Sunday morning

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Marc Albrecht conducts Br...

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Santtu-Matias Rouvali con...

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

De Fantastische Symfonie ...

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Bach's St Matthew Passion...

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Happening: Midnight conce...

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra