history
A Rich Heritage
Founded in 1935 by the Belgian public broadcaster (NIR) as the Groot Symfonie-Orkest, the Brussels Philharmonic was established with the mission of bringing “serious” repertoire to the Belgian people. Its programming featured Belgian and Flemish compositions, rediscovered works from the past, renowned 19th-century masterpieces, and innovative contemporary music. Under the visionary leadership of Franz André and Paul Collaer, the orchestra placed a special emphasis on modern creations.
Over the years, the orchestra has been led by celebrated international conductors, including Leonard Bernstein, Darius Milhaud, Paul Sacher, Albert Wolff, and Benjamin Britten. In addition, distinguished composers such as Igor Stravinsky, Sergei Prokofiev, Paul Hindemith, Béla Bartók, and later Olivier Messiaen regularly visited Brussels. They were drawn not only to the city’s exceptional Studio 4—with acoustics renowned on the world stage—but also to an orchestra they considered among the very best globally.
"I can hardly find the words to express my admiration for the orchestra and its conductor, Franz André. The orchestra is among the finest in the world." Béla Bartók (1946)
conductors
| Franz André |
| Daniel Sternefeld |
| Fernand Terby |
| Alexander Rahbari |
| Frank Shipway |
| Yoel Levi |
| Michel Tabachnik |
| Stéphane Denève |
| Kazushi Ono |
1930s
- 1931 NIR/INR begins broadcasting
- 1932 Symfonisch Orkest
“serious symphonic repertoire” on radio and gala concerts - 1935 start Groot Symfonie-Orkest & chief conductor Franz André
international modernism, Belgian and Flemish music, rediscovered historical works - 1936 Sergei Prokofiev conducts Groot Symfonie-Orkest of the NIR on December 2: “Très bien joué le 2 décembre 1936 en exécutant un programme de mes œuvres fort difficile.”
- 1938 opening Flagey building
1940s & 1950s
- 1946 European premiere Concerto for Orchestra by Béla Bartók. "I can hardly find the words to express my admiration for the orchestra and its conductor, Franz André. The orchestra is among the finest in the world."
- 1953 Leonard Bernstein comes to conduct. "Their incredible sight-reading, their natural virtuosity and dicipline and their intelligent self adaption to the idioms of American Music."
- 1958 Daniel Sternefeld, chief conductor
"...Their incredible sight-reading, their natural virtuosity and discipline and their intelligent self adaption to the idioms of American Music." Leonard Bernstein (1953)
1970s-1990s
- 1978 start Filharmonisch Orkest van de BRT
including popular genres such as bel canto, film music, and symphonic jazz - 1988 André Laporte intendant
own concert series and recordings, independent of broadcaster - 1989 celebration of Olivier Messiaen’s 80th birthday. "Au magnifique Orchestre de la BRT de Bruxelles en souvenir de la merveilleuse exécution de Chronochromie et de la non moins merveilleuse exécution de Un vitrail et des oiseaux, ce 16 mai 1989! En toute admiration et reconnaissance."
- 1994 ‘Cultural Ambassador’ for international presence & departure from broadcasting building Flagey
- 1998 start Vlaams Omroeporkest en Kamerkoor vzw in Leuven
- 1998 Yoel Levi, chief conductor
great repertoire & numerous international concerts
2000s
- 2004 recording film music The Aviator (Golden Globe)
- 2005 return to Flagey
- 2008 start Brussels Philharmonic
- 2008 Michel Tabachnik, chief conductor
contemporary music & residence Cité de la Musique (Paris) - 2009 Hervé Niquet & Palazzetto Bru Zane
rediscovery of forgotten French Romantic repertoire
2008: start Brussels Philharmonic
2010s
- 2011 recording film music The Artist (Academy Award)
- 2014 Classica Magazine names the recording of Debussy’s La Mer as the all-time reference recording (Feb): “Une version miraculeuse qui a transporté tout le monde. A la fin de l’écoute, le silence des auditeurs en disait long. Fascinant.”
- 2015 Stéphane Denève, chief conductor
focus on 21st-century repertoire & connection to audience - 2015 first recording for Deutsche Grammophon (Aug 28), entirely devoted to 21st-century music by Guillaume Connesson. “Un vrai délice !”
- 2017 Brussels Philharmonic & Stéphane Denève lead the inaugural Queen Elisabeth Competition for cello. “Le Brussels Philharmonic et son chef Stéphane Denève, réussirent leur entrée non seulement dans les annales du Concours mais dans le cœur du public.”
- 2018 inaugural season of BOENK! Brussels Young Philharmonic
- 2019 debut at Carnegie Hall, New York (16 Mar)
2020s
- 2020 Covid-19: global lockdowns
concert halls close: the Brussels Philharmonic and Vlaams Radiokoor deliver 26 livestreams in season 20–21, 22 recorded in an empty hall - 2020 start podcast series Bucket List
- 2021 launch temporary cultural channel Podium-19 on Proximus Pickx
by Brussels Philharmonic, Ancienne Belgique, Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, Concertgebouw Brugge, deSingel, Opera Ballet Vlaanderen en Kunstencentrum Voo?uit - 2021 launch BXLPHIL App
"I am really impressed by the full sound, the versatility and the passion of the musicians." KAZUSHI ONO
- 2022 Kazushi Ono, chief conductor
focus on innovative and amibitous steps in both contemporary music and the classical/early Romantic repertoire, uniting audiences around symphonic music - 2022 Ilan Volkov, principal guest conductor
figurehead of the international contemporary music scene
