Gert François x Timpani Concerto
"whether it’s Beethoven or Charlie Parker ... without the groove, the music won’t come to life: 'It don’t mean a thing if you ain’t got that swing'"
mission: timpani
In the new podcast and video series, we follow the preparation and creation of the Timpani Concerto by Wim Henderickx: an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the musical process, from the first concepts to the final performance.
When composer Wim Henderickx suddenly passed away on December 18, 2022, there were several nearly finished compositions on his work desk. For Brussels Philharmonic and his close friend, timpanist Gert François, Wim had been working on a concept for a timpani concerto — which has now been completed posthumously and will have its world premiere on March 15, 2025 at Flagey. Brussels Philharmonic is documenting the creation of this new work with a video and podcast series, launching today — two years after Wim's sudden passing.
Diederik Glorieux, Wim's long-time musical assistant, prepared the score for performance in close collaboration with Wim’s family: "Together with Gert, we decided to complete the concerto, fully in the spirit of Wim. We started with his original sketches and ultimately created a score that offers the soloist maximum improvisatory freedom. This allows Gert to give his personal interpretation to the work, thus offering his own tribute to Wim. Additionally, electronics play a central role — developed by Jorrit Tamminga, also a friend, colleague, and collaborator of Wim — and a female choir, performed here by the Vlaams Radiokoor."
This composition commission is part of a multi-year project in which Brussels Philharmonic will perform a new composition by a Belgian composer each year. We are stepping away from the conventional paths, focusing on innovative combinations and fresh perspectives. Wim Henderickx's Timpani Concerto is the first step in this journey.
MISSION: TIMPANI
Following the previous video series Mission: bass and Mission: harp, the timpani of soloist Gert François and composer Wim Henderickx are now the focus. From the initial idea at Reggae Geel to a posthumously completed score inspired by religion, this promises to be a special series.
In the first episode of both the podcast and the video, we follow Wim's widow Bea Steylaerts, his right-hand man Diederik Glorieux, and soloist Gert François. They are our guides, sharing the backstory, the decades-long friendship between Gert and Wim, and some key ideas that form the foundation of this concerto.
PODCAST: OOR-SPRONG (NL)
In the Oor-Sprong podcast series (created by sound duo Geluidsduo Spraakmat), we take listeners on a unique journey through the development of new compositions. Guided by the creators themselves, we explore how a new piece of music comes to life—from the first sketches and initial ideas to the much-anticipated world premiere. Throughout the season, the music evolves and grows in your ears, transforming from a few notes into a fully realized composition, with attention to both the challenges and breakthroughs along the way. The inevitable setbacks, but above all, the many triumphs on the path to the final live concert.
The first season of Oor-Sprong is a particularly special one. Launching in March 2025, the project begins with the Timpani Concerto by the late Wim Henderickx. When Wim unexpectedly passed away on December 18, 2022, the score remained unfinished. Thanks to Wim’s widow Bea Steylaerts, his close collaborator Diederik Glorieux, and timpanist Gert François, this symphonic work will finally see the light of day in 2025.
As our guides through this first episode, they share the story behind the concerto, the decades-long friendship between Gert and Wim, and the essential ideas that lie at the heart of this remarkable work.
MISSION: HARP
Eline Groslot, solo harpist of Brussels Philharmonic, is an advocate of her instrument and it's repertoire. When American composer Geoffrey Gordon read her blog, he decided to compose a brand new harp concerto for Eline...
Follow Eline Groslot and composer Geoffrey Gordon in our brand new documentary series.
mission: bass
Brussels Philharmonic bassist, Thomas Fiorini realizes his dream: a bass guitar concerto. Together with visionary composer Robert Groslot, Thomas helps to pave the way for the bass guitar in contemporary classical music.
Watch the documentary about the creation process from score to album recording and world premiere on 22 April at Flagey, Brussels.