Stravinsky between mourning, faith and ecstatic dance.
This concert brings an intense Stravinsky weekend to a ceremonial climax. Funeral Song, the earliest surviving orchestral work by the composer, is a restrained tribute to his teacher Rimsky-Korsakov. The music unfolds like a shivering funeral procession: dark in colour, spare in gesture, yet charged with emotional intensity.
In the Symphony of Psalms, Stravinsky turns toward...
This concert brings an intense Stravinsky weekend to a ceremonial climax. Funeral Song, the earliest surviving orchestral work by the composer, is a restrained tribute to his teacher Rimsky-Korsakov. The music unfolds like a shivering funeral procession: dark in colour, spare in gesture, yet charged with emotional intensity.
In the Symphony of Psalms, Stravinsky turns toward the sacred. Not romantic devotion, but a stern, collective expression of faith. Voices and orchestra merge into a mystical presence shaped by repetition, simplicity and archaic power. The work was premiered at Bozar in 1930 by the Société Philharmonique de Bruxelles, the predecessor of the BNO.
For the finale, the theatre erupts with Petrushka. What begins as a vibrant folk celebration evolves into a hallucinatory dance of masks, puppets and fractured humanity. Rhythm drives forward, colours flash, irony and tragedy intertwine. For one final time this weekend, Matthew Halls leads the entire procession, joined by the Vlaams Radiokoor. We conclude as Stravinsky intended: sharp, vivid and unmistakably disruptive.
Thanks to the players of the National Lottery and to the Tax Shelter of the Federal Government of Belgium through Casa Kafka Pictures.
Concert with introduction
Enhance your experience beyond the concert with an introduction! The introduction starts at 2 pm and is free upon presentation of your concert ticket.
Programme
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Igor Stravinsky
Funeral Song, Op. 5, K008 -
Igor Stravinsky
Symphony of Psalms, K052 -
Igor Stravinsky
Petrushka, K012
Artists
- Matthew Halls Conductor
- Vlaams Radiokoor
Concert with introduction
Enhance your experience beyond the concert with an introduction! The introduction starts at 2 pm and is free upon presentation of your concert ticket.
Listen to the concert playlist
Stravinsky Festival
From 2 to 7 February 2027, the BNO and Bozar shine a spotlight on composer Igor Stravinsky and his inimitable orchestrations and rousing rhythms. A century later, his music astonishes and moves us just as effortlessly. The BNO is devoting two concerts to the Russian master: besides the monumental Symphony of Psalms, you will hear two of his iconic ballets, The Rite of Spring and Petrushka. Stravinsky’s incomparable chamber music is also in the spotlight.
In co-production with
With the support of
Fête de la Musique 2027
City of Floating Sounds
Symphony of Sorrowful Songs
Shostakovich & Mozart
New Year’s Glow 2027
Winter Concert
Echoes of the North
