Cathedral of Sound: “A double success”
Photo gallery, News, The BNO in the press
On Sunday 8 March, the sound of the organ once again resonated at Bozar, broadcast live from the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula. Let's take a look back at a truly extraordinary concert.
It is 7 p.m. All the musicians are ready on the stage of Bozar. All of them, except one. Thierry Escaich, titular organist of Notre-Dame de Paris, is a few hundred metres away, seated high in the organ of the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula. Together with the Belgian National Orchestra and conductor Corinna Niemeyer, he presented a “duplex” programme centred on composer and pedagogue Nadia Boulanger, a major figure of the 20th century who profoundly influenced the four composers featured that evening: Igor Stravinsky, Francis Poulenc, Gabriel Fauré and Aaron Copland. An exceptional concert where technology — thanks to fibre optics — serves art and music.
What the press says:
“In this concert, building in a powerful crescendo and featuring the National Orchestra with the organ played remotely by Thierry Escaich, digital technology made the feat possible while gracefully stepping aside in favour of beauty. A double success. (…) The National Orchestra plays with nuance and finesse, with magnificent ensemble passages. (…) The synchronisation between the cathedral organ and the orchestra in the hall is truly astonishing. (…) As the technology fades into the background, beauty ultimately prevails.” — L'Echo
“For Bob Permentier, Intendant of the BNO, this type of project is part of a broader reflection on the future of the classical concert. ‘It has become obvious that technology and classical music can go hand in hand,’ he explains. The orchestra is therefore exploring new formats and collaborations, convinced that the concert experience can evolve. ‘For me, simply managing to realise such a concert is already a success.’” — RTBF
“The combination of this musical tribute to Nadia Boulanger and the technical experiment with the organ makes this Sunday a special edition. ‘It’s entirely fitting,’ says Jeroen Van Acker (Head of Music Bozar). ‘Boulanger herself was open to innovation. Honouring her through such a technical experiment perfectly reflects her spirit.’” — Bruzz
