orchestra
symphoniaASSAI is a symphonic collective
from Limburg founded in 2010.
With a setting that goes from strings ensemble or chamber orchestra to large symphony orchestra, symphoniaASSAI is every time immersed in challenging, innovative and artistic repertoire. In addition to the richness of classical compositions, the impulse of contemporary music finds also a place in our programs.
In its short existence
symphoniaASSAI that
has worked with renowned soloists
from the land and abroad, such as Francis Orval (Belgium), Jonas Bylund (Sweden), Stephane Labeyrie (France), Aldo Baerten (Belgium), Raymond Curfs (Netherlands), Luk Artois (Belgium), Anneleen Lenaerts (Belgium), Roeland Hendrikx (Belgium), Karel Schoofs (Belgium) who joined the orchestra on stage in concerts at BOZAR Brussels, the Basilica Festival of Flanders, Amuz Antwerp, CC Hasselt, Louvre Lens, the historical context of the C-Mine Cultural Centre in Genk or the beautiful concert hall of the Conservatory in Brussels.
symphoniaASSAI is a versatile, flexible and creative ensemble.
With a rich palette of colours, the collective appears in various forms: from an intimate cello quartet to an energetic wind quintet and from a string orchestra to a full chamber orchestra.
symphoniaASSAI continually immerses itself in masterpieces from a broad spectrum of repertoire, resulting in challenging and innovative concert programmes that are well-conceived and accessible to a wide audience.
symphoniaASSAI was founded in 2010 as the missing link in the Flemish symphonic landscape; by establishing a professional orchestra in Limburg, symphoniaASSAI aims to embed symphonic music in the Limburg community.
With its heart in the urban neighbourhood and its mind set on the world, symphoniaASSAI aims to have a lasting impact on the cultural fabric of Hasselt, Limburg, Flanders and beyond.
From the provincial capital, we want to make symphonic music more accessible, reach a wide audience and bring Limburg in line with international standards in the classical music world.
symphoniaASSAI plays a pioneering role as a talent promotor: by focusing on talent development and artistic innovation, we want to offer a platform to emerging soloists, conductors and composers.
While craftsmanship is passed on, the audience experiences the evolution of a new generation of young talent from the front row.
Collaboration with inspiring cultural partners within and outside the province enables us to further develop our artistic ambitions.
symphoniaASSAI is committed to further developing an umbrella organisation for orchestras in Limburg.
By identifying young talent at an early stage and then offering them every opportunity to develop their musical gifts, we are creating fertile ground for top professional musicians from our own region.
By uniting them in an artistically outstanding ensemble, they bring symphonic music to the heart of Limburg society and, in turn, inspire new generations of young musicians.
With an artistic vision infused with a healthy entrepreneurial spirit, we strive for a complete symphonic plan: from discovering young talent to creating employment opportunities, Limburg’s musical talent is given every opportunity to grow within a professional and locally anchored artistic framework.
Time is passing faster than ever before. With an abundance of options available, it seems almost impossible to keep listeners engaged. Yet audiences are once again seeking authenticity and genuine emotion in a modern society where art has all too often come to rely on effects designed to attract attention.
symphoniaASSAI wants to focus on music that goes into depth and inspires and moves an audience; performances that try to get as close as possible to the composer’s original idea and are based on simplicity and naturalness.
01
daily management
Wouter Lenaerts | artistic director
02
daily management
Fryderyk Sevens | general manager
03
friends of symphoniaASSAI
Johanna Peiler
etymology
The choice of symphoniaASSAI as a name refers to the dynamic and venturous character of the orchestra.
The Latin symphonia inherited its meaning from the Greek word, which expresses harmony and concord. The Italian assai also has its origins in its Latin predecessor ad satis.
The concerts of symphoniaASSAI are known for their extraordinary vitality: their unbridled enthusiasm and refreshing perspective have a strong impact on the intensity and originality of the music-making and on the connection with the audience.
the symphoniaASSAI chamber orchestra
is composed of a classical Beethoven ensemble with 35 to 40 musicians.
An extensive repertoire of music has been written for this instrumentation, spanning from the 18th century to the 21st century.
The compact composition of this dynamic orchestra creates an intimate and transparent sound. At the same time, it allows for refined and organic ensemble playing with direct interaction between the performers.
The musicians of the chamber orchestra are not only outstanding virtuosos on their instruments, but also perfectly match the dynamic character of symphoniaASSAI.
Each concert creates a special experience in which listeners are moved by the intense inspiration and dedication.
The composition, structure and selection of the music also contribute to this unique experience for the audience: the programme is always based on a choice of quality and originality and looks at the works from a fresh perspective.
Each concert programme is based on a connection between the different works that is not always visible, but can be felt: a theme that runs like a thread through the music, creating unexpected links between the works and drawing the audience into a single, uninterrupted atmosphere.
In addition to the extensive classical repertoire, special attention is paid to young, exceptional soloists and contemporary Flemish music is given a boost.
Modern compositions often have roots that are deeply anchored in the European musical tradition - symphoniaASSAI seeks to expose these threads by framing new compositions with works from the past.
Throughout history, new compositions and contemporary performances have always gone hand in hand. symphoniaASSAI wants to continue this tradition and offer opportunities to talented native composers.
In its short existence, symphoniaASSAI has already collaborated with renowned soloists from Belgium and abroad:
Francis Orval | horn
(BE - Orchestre Symphonique de Radio, Luxembourg)
Jonas Bylund | trombone
(CE - Hochschule für Musik, Hannover)
Stéphane Labeyrie | tuba
(FR - Orchestre de Paris)
Aldo Baerten | flute
(BE - Antwerp Symphony Orchestra)
Raymond Curfs | percussion
(NL - Symphonieorchester Bayerischen Rundfunks, Munich)
Luk Artois | percussion
(BE - Royal Theatre of La Monnaie Symphony Orchestra, Brussels)
Anneleen Lenaerts | harp
(BE - Vienna State Opera & Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra)
Roeland Hendrikx | clarinet
(BE - National Orchestra of Belgium)
Karel Schoofs | oboe
(BE – Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra)
symphoniaASSAI is also eager to provide a platform for emerging young talents:
Sarah Defrise | voice
(BE - Bell’Arte singing competition - New Tenuto, Belgium)
Maarten Vandenbemden | guitar
(BE - Kutná Hora guitar competition, Czech Republic)
Fien Van den Fonteyne | violin
(BE - Elski competition Minsk, Belarus - QEC, Belgium)
Floris Willem | violin
(BE - Concours Vieuxtemps - Arthur Grumiaux, Belgium)
Maarten Lingier | piano
(BE - Princess Christina Competition, Netherlands)
Koen Dries | saxophone
(BE - Concours International Adolphe Sax, Belgium)
Cedric Honings | guitar
(BE - Prinses Christina Concours, Netherlands)
Emma Van den Ecker | horn
(BE - Royal Swedish Opera Stockholm, Sweden)