This year our Pukkelpoppers can experience classical music in the Marquee.
Chokri Mahassine (Pukkelpop): “The idea to do something with classical music has been floating around in our organisation for a number of years. When Bram Meese of the Ghent Crossbones Trombone Collective contacted us the final piece of the puzzle fell into place.
CLASSICAL MUSIC
Bram Meese (Crossbones Trombone Collective): “First and foremost I’m a Pukkelpopper at heart and I’ve been coming to the festival for ages. The only music genre to hardly ever feature at our Belgian summer festivals is classical music. As a classically trained musician and music teacher I obviously find this a pity. But right away Chokri and his team were very enthusiastic and they gave us carte blanche.”
MARQUEE OUVERTURE
Together with renowned pianist and composer Jef Neve a programme was set up around contemporary classical composers. The focus is on recognisability and accessibility. The goal is to counter the clichés about classical music in a rock ‘n’ roll way. No fewer than 25 musicians will take the stage on this special occasion. The performance will include work by Norwegian composer and pianist Ola Gjeillo, a piece by Austrian composer Anton Bruckner, the avant-gardist update Max Richter gave to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and a selection of Neve’s own work.
Jef Neve: “I have an emotional connection with Pukkelpop and being invited back here with a full string orchestra and a crazy gang of trombone players is a dream come true. Classical music can also be far out, that much will soon be obvious!”
PRACTICAL
Marquee Ouverture feat. Jef Neve & Crossbones Trombone Collective opens the Marquee on Thursday 16 August in the Pukkelpop festival arena.
Tickets are available at www.pukkelpop.be. Thursday ticket and combi holders have access to the festival arena from 6 pm on Wednesday.