Brussels Cello Festival returns from 15 to 17 November

Brussels is set to become an international hub of cello virtuosity thanks to the fourth edition of the Brussels Cello Festival from 15 to 17 November.

The programme brings together world renowned artists, including Anne Gastinel, Gary Hoffman, Frans Helmerson and Marie Hallynck. They will be performing alongside rising stars such as 2022 Queen Elisabeth Competition finalists Sul Yoon and Aleksey Shadrin.

For 2024, the biennial festival’s theme is ‘Cellists for Cellists’ and is designed to challenge and enchant audiences with repertoire by cellist-composers spanning the past four centuries. In the festival finale, the Brussels Cello Society’s hallmark cello orchestra will perform well-known classics in a rousing new scoring.

The classical musical gathering also serves as a platform for the 2024 Buchet International Cello Competition. Candidates from the world’s top conservatoires play for a jury comprising of BCS director and cellist Han Bin Yoon (pictured above), as well as Marie Hallynck, Anne Gastinel and Roel Dieltiens. The live rounds on 11 and 12 November at the Royal Conservatory of Mons are open to the public.

Bin Yoon welcomes the theme of this year’s edition. “Highlighting cellist-composers throughout the centuries is an exciting blend between crowd-pleasing and rarely performed pieces - each programme is sure to captivate!"

Bulletin readers are invited to attend one of the following concerts:

Opening Concert 15 November, 20.15-22.00, Église Notre-Dame de la Cambre
BICC Winners’ Concert 16 November 11.00-12.30, Flagey
Love Letters Concert 16 November, 14.00-15.30, Flagey
Gala Concert 16 November, 20.15-22.00, Flagey
Soundscapes Concert 17 November, 11.00-12.00, Flagey

Audiences can enjoy a free coffee and croissant when attending a morning concert: pick up a coupon at the Belgium Cello Society desk at the entrance.

Brussels Cello Festival
15 to 17 November
Flagey: Place Sainte-Croix
Église Notre-Dame de la Cambre: Abbaye de la Cambre 1
Ixelles. Sorry! Our prize giveaway has now closed and the winners have been notified.