Under one wing

It is a rare and intriguing phenomenon: when two brothers play the piano together, an extraordinary sense of synchronisation often emerges. That becomes even more remarkable with three brothers playing. The combination of two, four and even six hands on a single piano creates an exceptional and spectacular musical experience: chamber music in its most intimate and festive form. Four brothers playing music together at such a high level is something you rarely see. Passionate, sensitive and talented: that’s the best way to describe the Van de Velde brothers. All four are among Belgium’s top musicians. Yannick, Jonathan, Nicholas and Samuel Van de Velde perform masterpieces by Bach, Mendelssohn, Ravel and others in a unique family ensemble for piano for two, four or six hands, accompanied by cello. From Johann Sebastian Bach’s intimate Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit in a four-hand arrangement by György Kurtág to Felix Mendelssohn’s cheerful and virtuosic Sonata for cello and piano, whose Adagio is a subtle tribute to Bach. Maurice Ravel composed his Rapsodie espagnole in 1908. It belongs to his most refined orchestral works and exudes a subtle, stylised Spanish atmosphere. Since the piece was originally composed as piano music, it is exceptionally well suited for a four-hands performance. In particular, the enchanting Habanera and compelling Feria will continue to linger long afterwards. It gets really busy at the piano with a six-handed version of a beloved opera paraphrase from Il barbiere di Siviglia by Gioachino Rossini and the lively Galop-Marche by Albert Lavignac. Finally, the brothers conclude together with a beautiful Romance by Sergei Rachmaninoff. Programme Johann Sebastian Bach/G. Kurtág, Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste ZeitFelix Mendelssohn, Sonate for cello and piano, op. 58Maurice Ravel, Rapsodie espagnole for piano four handsAlbert Lavignac, Galop-MarcheGioachino Rossini, Il barbiere di SivigliaSergej Rachmaninov, RomanceBio The Van de Velde brothers have been making music together since their childhood and gave their first performances at a very young age. They have performed in large concert halls in Belgium and beyond. Their biennial Pianofest festival in Sint-Niklaas has become a fixture in the musical landscape and was awarded the Golden Label by Klassiek Centraal.,