Various Composers - Ex Nihilo (Brecht Valckenaers)

Information

1. György Ligeti - Musica Ricercata: No. 1, Sostenuto - Misurato - Prestissimo
2. György Ligeti - Musica Ricercata: No. 2, Mesto, rigido e ceremoniale
3. Brecht Valckenaers - Rhythm Studies: I. Distorting Time
4. György Ligeti - Musica Ricercata: No. 3, Allegro con spirito
5. Helmut Lachenmann - Ein Kinderspiel: I. Hänschen klein
6. Helmut Lachenmann - Ein Kinderspiel: VI. Glockenturm
7. György Ligeti - Musica Ricercata: No. 4, Tempo di valse (poco vivace - “à l’orgue de Barbarie”)
8. Brecht Valckenaers - Rhythm Studies: II. A Bit Drunk
9. György Ligeti - Musica Ricercata: No. 5, Rubato. Lamentoso
10. Henry Cowell - Irish Legends: 3. The Voice of Lir
11. György Ligeti - Musica Ricercata: No. 6, Allegro molto capriccioso
12. Brecht Valckenaers - Rhythm Studies: III. Distorting Mirror
13. György Ligeti - Musica Ricercata: No. 7, Cantabile, molto legato
14. Béla Bartók - Out of Doors, Sz. 81: No 4, The Night's music. Lento
15. György Ligeti - Musica Ricercata: No. 8, Vivace. Energico
16. Brecht Valckenaers - Rhythm Studies: IV. Mixed Feelings
17. György Kurtág - Játékok, Book V: Bell-fanfare for Sándor Veress
18. György Ligeti - Musica Ricercata: No. 9, Adagio. Mesto (Béla Bartók in memoriam)
19. George Crumb - Makrokosmos, Book II, Pt. 1: III. Rain-Death Variations (Pisces)
20. George Crumb - Makrokosmos, Book II, Pt. 1: IV. Twin Suns (Gemini)
21. György Ligeti - Musica Ricercata: No. 10, Vivace. Capriccioso
22. Brecht Valckenaers - Rhythm Studies: V. Chaconne des Cloches
23. György Ligeti - Musica Ricercata: No. 11, Andante misurato e tranquillo (Omaggio a Girolamo Frescobaldi)

Brecht Valckenaers, piano

Date: 2026

Label: Antarctica Records

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Ex Nihilo presents a cohesive musical journey that blends a wide range of styles into a seamless continuum. Anchored by Ligeti’s Musica Ricercata, the program interlaces complementary 20th-century compositions with newly composed interludes by Brecht Valckenaers. This carefully curated structure highlights a shared spirit of innovation, illustrating how composers redefine both their musical language and the expressive possibilities of the piano. By tracing these creative evolutions, the program emphasizes the concept of creation “from nothing,” offering a compelling exploration of artistic invention and transformation across different eras.

Brecht Valckenaers (b. 2000, Leuven) is a versatile pianist and composer known for integrating classical and contemporary repertoire with his own compositions and improvisations. Trained in Antwerp, Basel, and Fiesole, he has earned recognition in multiple international competitions, including a major prize at the 2025 YPF European Piano Competition. He has performed as a soloist in prominent venues across Europe and gained attention for his rhythmically inventive compositions. Following a successful 2024 debut, he continues his collaboration with Festival 20·21 as Artist in Residence, exploring music as a multifaceted expressive language.

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