Ilan Volkov
principal guest conductor
Ilan Volkov is known as a figurehead of the international contemporary music scene – as one critic put it, he eats complex scores for brunch—but he is just as at home with the great classical and romantic literature, which he has conducted around the world since his breakthrough at the prodigious age of 19. Since the season 2022/23, Volkov is the Principal Guest Conductor of the Brussels Philharmonic.
Read on to discover the upcoming projects for the Winter/Spring 2025 Season.
STRAVINSKY AT THE HEART
“This spring, Stravinsky serves as a unifying theme. The first program, in collaboration with Bart Van Reyn, music director of the Vlaams Radiokoor, offers a captivating mix of a cappella, orchestral, and combined works. This unique blend pairs lesser-known gems with familiar masterpieces, delivering a fresh perspective."
31.02.2025 FLAGEY BRUSSELS
01.02.2025 DE BIJLOKE GENT
"The second programme pairs Le Sacre du printemps with Amériques by Varèse—a bold and rare combination. While Le Sacre is widely celebrated, Amériques dazzles with its massive, original orchestration, making it one of the few works that can match Le Sacre in scale and intensity. Adding contrast, a serene new piece by Japanese composer Jo Kondo brings calm amidst the dynamic energy of the other two pieces.”
21.03.2025 CONCERTGEBOUW BRUGGE
22.03.2025 FLAGEY BRUSSELS
AN UNUSUAL PAIRING
“Finally, we pair Schumann with Tchaikovsky—a less common combination. Yet their shared expressivity and mutual influences create a compelling connection when heard together.”
23.04.2025 ELBPHILHARMONIE HAMBURG (DE)