High-level visit in Ghent
In the darkest month of the year, we welcome a high-level visitor to Ghent. For two days, we will dive into the life and work of iconic British composer and musician Gavin Bryars.
He is forever remembered for such groundbreaking and deeply moving work as The Sinking of the Titanic (1969) and Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet (1971) - to which Tom Waits once lent his voice.
To honor him in his 80th year of life, Ha Concerts, MSK and S.M.A.K. are joining forces for a three-part program.
1986 revisited at MSK
In the hemicycle of the MSK, the Gavin Bryars Ensemble was born in 1986. At MSK's OFF festival and precursor to the S.M.A.K., they played their very first concert.
Bag off for a re-enactment of that legendary evening. Beautiful music in an intimate setting, surrounded by ancient works of art and stories.
In a partly new lineup, they bring pieces like My First Homage and Sub Rosa back to life in the heart of the museum.
Gavin Bryars in conversation - at MSK
In that same hemicycle, Klara radio producer and presenter Lies Steppe talks with Bryars about his 80th birthday, about his work and life, and about the place where it all once began for his ensemble.
Iconic works at Ha Concerts
Bryars verkent met zijn ensemble enkele van zijn meest iconische werken, en die komen in de verfijnde akoestiek van de concertzaal maximaal tot hun recht.
Van The Sinking of the Titanic, wat refereert aan de band die bleef spelen terwijl het schip ten onder ging, naar het naar de keel grijpende Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet en Epilogue from Wonderlawn, opgedragen aan Bryars' dochters Ziella and Orlanda.
Muzikaal gemeengoed gespeeld door the master himself. Een waar cadeau.