2023-11-17 01:03:52
The Belgian pianist with more than 80 official albums published since 1982, presents Voice of the Living on Wednesday, January 24 at the Heart of the Bruges Soundscape.
Wim Mertens He is one of those types of composers who, even without enjoying fame in the conventional sense, are widely recognized, and their performances fill every seat in every venue in which they perform. His fascinating techniques minimalists, combined with a touch of romance (without being cheesy), resonate with both serious music fans and more mainstream listeners. On January 24, in the charming city of Bruges, BelgiumWim Mertens will offer a unique musical experience that transcends borders.
Mertens was born in 1953 in Neerpelt, his academic studies covered social sciences, politics and musicology at the universities of Leuven and Ghent. He immersed himself in music theory and piano in the Ghent Conservatory and the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, thus establishing the foundation for his multifaceted career. In addition to his musical achievements, Mertens is the author of American Minimal Musica comprehensive exploration of the American school of repetitive music, featuring works by LaMonte Young, Terry Riley, Steve Reich y Philip Glass.
In 1978, he became a producer at BRT, presenting concerts by influential artists such as Philip Glass, Steve Reich and Terry Riley. His foray into experimental music included collaboration with Gust De Meyer in the album For Amusement Only.
Regarding his musical evolution, Mertens gained recognition in the 1980s with the soundtrack of The Belly of the Architect y Maximizing the Audience. These, more than being his crowning works, are the ideal vehicle to begin the knowledge of his work. His style has evolved from his experimental roots towards minimalism, but always maintaining a distinctive melodic base. His work can be classified into compositions for ensemble, pieces for piano y voice solo, and cycles experimental minimalists; rhythmic repetitions, simple motifs and a simple harmonic structure. In Mertens’ case, his minimalist experimental cycles often involve compositions that explore these characteristics in more complex and experimental ways.
His career spans several decades and more than sixty albums, mainly through The Twilight Discs. With EMI Classics (now Warner Classics) he reissued his entire catalog in 2007.
When Wim Mertens takes the stage in Bruges on January 24th we will be ready to listen to his classics and also plenty of Heroes (2022) and even more so, his latest work, Voice of the Living (2023), a tribute to the victims of the First World War, avoiding the dramatic tones typical of a requiemoffering a unique perspective through its musically expressive approach, fusing minimalism and baroque of Flanders. Whether you are a seasoned music enthusiast or taking your first steps into this particular world of music, this concert is an opportunity to witness a musical master in action.
From ACHTUNG!, we will dive deeper into the world of Wim Mertens with that performance in Bruges, possibly including an exclusive interview, where we will try to discover the nuances of his compositions, the inspiration behind his music and the impact he has had on the global music scene.
Pay attention!
Wim Mertens
24/01/24 Cultural Center Bruges
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