Going to the source of the symphony, with Anima Eterna
Bart Van Reyn is one of the four new artistic voices at Anima Eterna Brugge. With the First Piano Concerto by Brahms and the Fourth Symphony by Schumann, he makes his debut with the orchestra: large, romantic repertoire that is allowed to become completely new again under his hands – partly thanks to the artistic research of the Anima musicians.
Anima Eterna, a pioneer in historical performance practice for 35 years, will work with four new conductors in the coming seasons. Violinist Midori Seiler and the widely acclaimed Italian conductor Giovanni Antonini already led the orchestra during previous seasons. This summer, Anima Eterna looks forward to working with top international conductor Pablo Heras-Casado. Now it is the turn of Fleming Bart Van Reyn, who in turn is building an exciting and multicoloured career with the orchestra.
Working with an orchestra like Anima Eterna is simply a logical ‘next step’ for Bart Van Reyn. Historical performance practice has been part of his artistic baggage since 2005, heir as he is to such inspiring predecessors as John Eliot Gardiner, Philippe Herreweghe and, of course, Jos van Immerseel. With his own ensemble Le Concert d’Anvers, he ran into the limelight of the international press. Now, with Anima Eterna, he gets his hands on a historically informed symphonic orchestra for the first time.
Time and space: they are code words for Van Reyn. To reflect and explore. To grow and wonder. The members of the orchestra delve into the latest insights around performance practice. In turn, Van Reyn surprises them with the fresh ‘fire-of-the-moment’ that is so much his own. A new artistic alliance is in the making.
I think we can stand on the shoulders of the previous generation. And that is a huge gift. We inherit through them not only a lot of knowledge, but also a whole generation of musicians who know very well what they are doing. It is our job to continue that research. Bart Van Reyn.
Info & tickets via Cultuurcentrum Hasselt & Concertgebouw Brugge.
