English summary - Royal Flemish Philharmonic

A modern and stylistically flexible symphony orchestra, the Royal Flemish Philharmonic (deFilharmonie) demonstrates an artistic flair which allows for a variety of styles – from classical to contemporary – in a historically authentic manner. Chief Conductor Jaap van Zweden is responsible for the orchestra’s main repertoire. Drawing on his vast orchestral experience, and as former concertmaster of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, he contributes to the unique character of the Royal Flemish Philharmonic. He works in close co-operation with Principal Conductor Philippe Herreweghe, who makes use of his specific background in his readings of (pre)Romantic music. Martyn Brabbins is Principal Guest Conductor. From the season 2012-2013 Edo de Waart becomes Chief Conductor of the Royal Flemish Philharmonic. Jaap van Zweden’s affiliation with the orchestra continues as honorary conductor.

Thanks to its own series of concerts in large venues, the Royal Flemish Philharmonic occupies a unique position in Flanders. The orchestra has earned itself a recurring spot on the annual programmes of the Queen Elisabeth Hall and deSingel in Antwerp, the Centre for Fine Arts in Brussels, de Bijloke Music Centre in Ghent and the Bruges Concertgebouw. Alongside its regular concerts, the Philharmonic attaches great value to developing educational and social projects, offering children, youngsters, and people with different social backgrounds the opportunity to get acquainted with the symphony orchestra from close quarters.

International

The Royal Flemish Philharmonic has also been a guest of some major foreign concert halls: the Musikverein and Konzerthaus in Vienna, the Festspielhaus in Salzburg, the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, the Suntory Hall and the Bunka Kaikan Hall in Tokyo, the Philharmonie of Cologne and Munich, the Alte Oper in Frankfurt, the Palace of Art in Budapest and the National Grand Theatre of Peking. International concert tours through various European countries and Japan are a constant item on the yearly calendar.

In collaboration with the publisher, Lannoo, the Philharmonic is currently developing a series of audio books for children. The Royal Flemish Philharmonic is frequently broadcast on its media partner, Radio Klara, and on the digital television broadcaster, EURO1080. Several of the orchestra's CDs received acclaim by the professional press, including the recent recordings of Beethoven and Stravinski conducted by Philippe Herreweghe (PentaTone). The orchestra’s recent releases include Shostakovich’ Fifth Symphony with Jaap van Zweden (Naïve) and recordings of Mortelmans and Vieuxtemps with Martyn Brabbins (Hyperion).