Marimba Master Ensemble
Conductor: Dr Ludwig Albert
Special guests:
Rodrigo Marques (PT) & Yungshang Bao (CN) - marimba
Kelly Poukens (BE) – soprano
Musicians: Subin Ku (KR), Zihang Li (CN), Oleksandra Makarova (UA), Tiago Chico (PT)
Mario Mascolo (IT), Francesco Miranda (IT), Benzheng Tao (CN), Nicolo Demurtas (IT), Mattia Sebastiano Rizza (IT), Ilkka Haapanen (FI), Giacomo Meroni (IT)
The marimba – one of the oldest instruments in the world – continues to surprise with its warm, rich sound. This year, this special instrument shines in ‘Marimba Christmas Fantasia’, a festive concert by the Marimba Master Ensemble conducted by Dr Ludwig Albert.
The concert celebrates a double milestone: the AP marimba class (Campus Royal Conservatoire Antwerp) is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and Dr Ludwig Albert is looking back on a 35-year international career. Over the years, this marimba department has grown into a vibrant programme that combines tradition and innovation, and in which alumni and young talent continue to make their mark on the international marimba world.
The audience can look forward to a surprising selection of Christmas classics, carols, religious music and traditional songs, complemented by original compositions and creations by Ludwig Albert and Rodrigo Marques, as well as arrangements by J.S. Bach, A. Katchaturian, L. Denza, J. Strauss, C. Franck, E. Whitacre, A. Adam, M. Stader and F. Gruber.
With special guests Rodrigo Marques (PT) and Yungshang Bao (CN), alumni and prize winners, and an international group of marimba players from South Korea, China, Portugal, Italy, Ukraine and Finland, the evening promises to be an explosion of virtuosity and expression. Where Christmas music is usually performed by voice and choir, Marimba Christmas Fantasia offers an instrumental revelation: a festive fusion of classical music and the warm glow of the marimba.
With a stage full of Christmas lights, unique timbres, virtuoso performances and a creative mix of styles, Marimba Christmas Fantasia brings together world-class classical music and musical innovation, promising an unforgettable and magical start to the Christmas season.