Hymn to solidarity
Thousands of people are in need because of the severe floods. The Belgian National Orchestra, the Queen Elisabeth Competition and Bozar present a short video message to show our solidarity with the victims, their families and the aid workers. Earlier this week, we decided to cancel the traditional prelude concert to the National Day festivities because of the national mourning. Together, however, we decided to share a touch of music as a comfort, hope and solidarity to the Belgian people.
The musicians are deeply saddened by what has happened, but inspired by Wagner's words 'music begins where words stop', Maestro Hugh Wolff and the Queen Elisabeth Competition decided to record Nimrod from the Enigma Variations, Op. 36 by Edward Elgar and the Nocturne for cello and orchestra No. 4, Op. 19 by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. The solo part will be performed by Santiago Cañón-Valencia, laureate of the Queen Elisabeth Competition for Cello 2017.
"While I am happy to be back in Brussels and making music with the wonderful Belgian National Orchestra and Maestro Hugh Wolff, I am also saddened by the recent tragic events that have taken the lives of many people.
I hope our music helps to comfort those who need it."
If you wish, you can support the victims of this terrible event. You can do this via the Red Cross, among others: BE70 0000 0000 2525