Dear Music Lover, Fanatic, Masochist, Sadist, Amateur, Openhearted adventure-seeker

Allow me to welcome you to the wonderfully pink world of Ars Musica. Without changing too much in terms of content, we are trying to raise the profile of Ars Musica. In the pink world of Ars Musica, nothing is off-limits. We have an almost 19th century-style desire to share the music being composed today with the widest possible audience. And it’s no secret that a little provocation will always attract more attention than cautious whispers. We attach a great deal of importance to bringing contemporary music to a younger audience. That’s why we’re delighted to be helping to create the audiences of the future with three upcoming projects (8, 25, and 29 March). 2010 is a pivotal year. This year’s programme was still put together by our former artistic director, Laurent Langlois. However, this doesn’t change the fact that a new dynamic is already evident, one of openness and discovery, and one which will be felt with full force as of 2011.

Aperghis is a composer who has been a part of our festival on so many occasions that we now simply call him ‘Georges’. He won’t hold it against us that we will open up our world to composers such as Avets, Xiaos, Dmitris, Osvaldassen, and Putirs. Ladies and Gentlemen, to quote the words of a great Belgian composer: Ars Musica is on its way to new adventures.

Patrick de Clerck