Here at AB, the 'neo' in neo-classical stands for experiment, unique combinations and unexpected collaborations.

On March 14, for example, you can visit the Bozar for the musical fusion of Gerhard Richter's work with that of Steve Reich and Bryce Dessner (The National). On April 30, electronica master Alva Noto and the pan-European neoclassical ensemble s t a r g a z e will join forces for a masterful performance of Carsten Nicolai's "Xerrox" five-piece work. And on April 23, piano virtuoso Martin Kohlstedt will present his brand new album 'Feld' at AB.

Reich/Richter: Asko Schönberg & Colin Currie (TUE 14 MARCH 23)

Two of our greatest living artists join forces: composer Steve Reich, a pioneer of American minimalism, and visual artist Gerhard Richter. Filmmaker Corinna Belz brings Richter’s brushstrokes to life alongside Reich’s pulsating music. Add music from Bryce Dessner in the hands of percussionist Colin Currie and you are in for an unforgettable experience!

IN THE PRESS

'The patterns of a work by Gerhard Richter inspire one of Reich’s most impressive recent pieces.' (The Guardian)

Unfortunately, this concert is already sold out.

Martin Kohlstedt (SUN 23 APR 23)

German piano virtuoso Martin Kohlstedt is often – unsurprisingly but predictably – mentioned in the same breath as that other contemporary neoclassical hero: Nils Frahm. He created a fine diptych in the form of  'Tag' (2012) and 'Nacht' (2014), and with 'Strom' (2017) and the superb 'Ströme' (2019) he even coupled the album titles.

In the meantime, he has also been working with such diverse artists as Sudan Archives or Christian Löffler (incidentally, also an AB guest in’23) and he created a new live soundtrack to ‘Son of the white mare’ by Hungarian director Marcell Jankovics. Focus Knack praised the perfomance with a **** review and wrote: ‘Aan zijn linkerkant twee synthesizers, aan zijn rechterkant een vleugelpiano en in het midden een analoge drummachine. Meer had de Duitser niet nodig om zijn publiek anderhalf uur lang in vervoering te brengen.’

Xerrox selected with Alva Noto, s t a r g a z e and André de Ridder (SUN 30 APR 23)

A unique collaboration between (avant garde) electronic master Alva Noto and the pan-European neoclassical ensemble s t a r g a z e. Central to this collaboration is the performance of Carsten Nicolai's 'Xerrox' five-part work, four volumes of which have already seen the light of day. 'Xerrox' is based on the concept of 'digital reproduction' in which - through endless copying - the copy becomes an original. Nicolai's signature 'glitches and bass' sound - as heard on the sublime triptych 'Transrapid', 'Transvision' and 'Transspray' gives way to a much more organic, personal and even orchestral sound.

Gefundenes fressen in other words for the neo-classical ensemble s t a r g a z e - led by conductor André De Ridder - who have previously reworked the work of Fugazi (!) or Boards of Canada. Both Alva Noto and s t a r g a z e worked across all musical comfort zones in the past.