BNO-SEASON OPENING WITH ANDSNES AND HENDERICKX

For the opening of the new season 23/24 Antony conducted the Belgian National Orchestra. “HOPE AND DESPAIR…” Under this season's motto, Antony and his Belgian National Orchestra-family opened their new season last week at a completely packed Bozar with an exuberant audience...! The evening was truly profound for various reasons. The concert started with the vibrant notes of PROKOFIEV, offering a taste of what's going to come in the upcoming PROKOFIEV-FESTIVAL this February. The orchestra played MAHLERs TOTENFEIER, as the start of their MAHLER-journey over 2 years, and as a tribute to Composer Wim Henderickx, who passed away last December, and who will be BNO’s composer-in-residence this season. A very moving experience was the postuum World Premiere of “REJOICE (Hymn for new times)” by Wim, followed by a profoundly emotional rendering of BEETHOVENs Pianoconcerto Nr. 5, featuring Antony’s great piano hero, the extraordinary Leif Ove Andsnes as a soloist. After the concert, Antony together with all BNO-musicians raised a toast to the new season, joined by the friends of the orchestra and a new cohort of BNO-YOUNG AMBASSADORS. It was a night filled with hope, reflection, and the powerful magic of music!