Julien Libeer Explained

Julien Libeer
Birth Place:	Kortrijk, Belgium
Occupation:	Pianist
Genre:	Classical
Label:	Harmonia Mundi, Alpha Classics, Evil Penguin Classic

Julien Libeer (born in Kortrijk in October 1987) is a Belgian classical pianist. Libeer has won several awards for his compositions, and regularly performs his works at a variety of international stadiums. He is the host of Belgian television show Studio Flagey Klassik, a television show about classical music.

Biography

Education and studies

As a child, Libeer developed a keen interest for classical music, ranging from opera, orchestra, and chamber music. At four years old, he aspired to become a conductor after watching Leonard Bernstein conducting West Side Story.^{[1] [2]} He decided to become a pianist only after discovering Romanian pianist and composer, Dinu Lipatti.^[3]

Between 2005 and 2009, Libeer studied^[4] at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels (along with Daniel Blumenthal). At 18 years of age, he honed his skills working with French-Polish pedagogue, Jean Fassina, in Paris. Libeer had an intense collaboration with Portuguese pianist Maria João Pires at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel,^[5] whose advice and support strongly influenced Libeer's views over the last few years. He regularly shared the stage with the pianist over the same years.^[6]

Libeer is an associate artist of the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, where he also specialized in chamber music with the members of the Artemis Quartet. He collaborated and received advice from Dmitri Bashkirov, Alfred Brendel, Nelson Delle-Vigne Fabbri, Jura Margulis and Gerhard Schulz (Alban Berg Quartett).

After staying away from international competition,^[7] Libeer received the Juventus Award for most promising young European soloist in 2008,^[8] and was elected Young Musician of the Year by the Belgian Music Press Association in 2010. The Klara award was attributed to him twice, in 2013^[9] and 2016.^[10]

Career

Libeer is a resident artist at Flagey (Brussels, Belgium) since 2020.^[11]

He has performed as a soloist, concertist and chamber musician at the Barbican Hall (London), Auditorio Nacional de Música (Madrid), Palau de la Música Catalana (Barcelona), Elbphilharmonie (Hamburg), and is a regular guest of the Centre for Fine Arts, Brussels and Concertgebouw, Amsterdam. In addition, other tours have taken him to Japan (Tokyo, Sumida Triphony Hall), Lebanon (Beirut Chants festival), Turkey (Ankara International Music Festival) and the United States (Miami International Piano Festival).

He has performed with numerous orchestras: Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, Brussels Philharmonic, Belgian National Orchestra, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia Varsovia and New Japan Philharmonic; working along conductors such as Trevor Pinnock, Michel Tabachnik, Augustin Dumay, Hervé Niquet, Joshua Weilerstein, Enrique Mazzola, and Christopher Warren-Green. His dedication to the works of Dinu Lipatti has resulted in collaborations with the Bucharest Radio Orchestra, among others, and to two recordings produced by the Belgium record label Evil Penguin Classic.

He works on a regular basis with the Danish String Quartet, Camille Thomas,^[12] with whom he recorded the album Réminiscences (La Dolce Volta), Paul Lewis, Maria João Pires and Lorenzo Gatto, with whom he also performed and recorded the complete Beethoven violin and piano sonatas over several seasons (at venues including Wigmore Hall, Louvre, and the Concertgebouw Amsterdam).

Libeer is a regular guest of Belgian and international media.^{[13] [14] [15]}

He is the producer, host and mediator of Studio Flagey Klassiek on Canvas,^[16] a major Belgian television show on classical music (2016). He hosted "Salon Libeer", a concert series at the Bruges Concertgebouw,^{[17] [18]} in which he joins with fellow musicians and speakers to discuss the musical experiences of the audience (2017–2021). Since February 2022, Libeer has been hosting the lecture series "Dead or Alive" in collaboration with LUCA School of Arts^[19] and the Catholic University of Leuven, a philosophical exploration of the shifts in classical music making where leading figures are invited to debate (philosophers, writers, musicians…). In 2013, Libeer starred in a documentary film Technique doesn't exist,^{[20] [21]} along with Maria João Pires and Donald Sturrock. In 2018, Musiq'3/RTBF honored him in another 50-minute documentary Jeunes solistes, grands destins: Julien Libeer (Young soloist, great destiny: Julien Libeer).^[22]

Artistic director of the Singing Molenbeek project,^[23] Libeer supervises high level choir rehearsals in the primary schools of the Brussels municipality. The project has gathered the help of various artists since its creation in 2014 by Zeno Popescu.^[24]

Discography

Libeer's recordings were critically acclaimed worldwide. Alongside albums with cellist Camille Thomas (Réminiscences,^[25] La Dolce Volta) and violinist Lorenzo Gatto^[26] (complete Beethoven violin and piano sonatas, Alpha Classics), Libeer recorded Bach – Bartók in 2020^[27] and J.S. Bach & beyond – A Well-Tempered Conversation in 2022 for Harmonia Mundi. He takes a conceptual approach to Bach's legendary Well-Tempered Clavier mirrored with the work of classical and contemporary composers in major mode. This last project was performed live at concerts with various arrangements: piano solo, piano and choir^[28] …

Solos

• J.S. Bach & beyond – A Well-Tempered Conversation^{[29] [30]} – A dialogue in which Johann Sebastian Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1 'converse' with later pieces (in the corresponding minor keys) by the following composers: Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms, Ferruccio Busoni, Frédéric Chopin, Gabriel Fauré, György Ligeti, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart*, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Maurice Ravel, Max Reger, Arnold Schoenberg, Dmitri Shostakovich. Julien Libeer, piano ; * Guest: Adam Laloum, piano (2CD, 2022, Harmonia Mundi) – Press awards: ffff Télérama,^[31] Classical album of the year 2022 De Standaard,^[32] Heute Klassiek Empfehlung 10/10^[33] (in Germany), Joker from Crescendo Magazine^[34] (in Belgium).
• Bach-Bartók – Piano Suites – Johann Sebastian Bach: French Suite No. 5 in G Major, BWV 816; Partita for keyboard No. 2, BWV 826 – Béla Bartók: Suite for Piano, Op. 14; Out of Doors, Sz. 81. Julien Libeer, piano. (1CD, 2020, Harmonia Mundi) – Press awards: **** BBC Music Magazine;^[35] 5 de Diapason.
• Lignes Claires^[36] – Maurice Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M. 61; Le Tombeau de Couperin, M. 68 – Dinu Lipatti: Nocturne for piano; Piano Sonatina for the left hand. Julien Libeer, piano. (1CD, 2016, Evil Penguin Classic) – Press award: 5 de Diapason.

Duets

• Ludwig van Beethoven: Violin Sonatas No. 3 in E Flat-Major, Op. 12 No. 3; No. 7 in C Minor, Op. 30 No. 2; No. 6 in A Major, Op. 30 No. 1; No. 8 in G Major, Op. 30 No. 3. Lorenzo Gatto, violin and Julien Libeer, piano. (1CD, 2019, Alpha Classics).^[37] Press award: CHOC from Classica.
• Ludwig van Beethoven : Violin Sonatas No. 1 in D Major, Op. 12, No. 1; No. 10 in G Major, Op. 96; No. 5 in F Major, Op. 24 "Spring". Lorenzo Gatto, violin and Julien Libeer, piano. (1CD, 2018, Alpha Classics).^[38]
• Ludwig van Beethoven : Violin Sonatas No. 9 in A Major, Op. 47 "Kreutzer"; No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 23; No. 2 in A Major, Op. 12, No. 2. Lorenzo Gatto, violin and Julien Libeer, piano. (1CD, 2016, Alpha Classics) – Press awards: Diapason d'Or of the year 2016,^[39] CHOC of the year 2016 from Classica.
• Réminiscences – Gabriel Fauré: Élégie, op. 24; Trois mélodies, Op. 7 (Fauré); 3 Songs, Op. 23 (I. Les Berceaux); Sicilienne, Op. 78 – Camille Saint-Saëns: Le Carnaval des animaux (The Carnival of the Animals), R. 125 – XIII. Le cygne (The Swan); Suite for Cello and Piano, Op. 16 (II. Sérénade) – César Franck: Sonata for Cello and Piano in A Major, FWV 8 – Eugène Ysaÿe: Sonata for solo cello, in C minor, Op.28 – Henri Duparc: L'invitation au voyage. Camille Thomas, cello and Julien Libeer, piano. (1CD, 2016, La Dolce Volta) – Press awards: CHOC from Classica, ECHO Klassik-Preis^[40] (Germany).

Orchestral productions

• Lignes Parallèlles^{[41] [42]} – Joseph Haydn: Symphony No. 49 in F Minor, Hob. I:49 "La passione" (The Passion) – Dinu Lipatti: Concertino in Classical Style in G Major, Op. 3, for piano and Chamber orchestra – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 27 in B-Flat Major, K. 595. Julien Libeer, piano; Les Métamorphoses, orchestra; Raphaël Feye, conductor. (1CD, 2018, Evil Penguin Classic) – Press award: 5 de Diapason.

Collaborations

• César Franck: Complete Chamber music – Various musicians : Leon Blekh, Augustin Dumay, Anna Agafia, Lorenzo Gatto, Shuichi Okada, Miguel da Silva, Ari Evan, Gary Hoffman, Stéphanie Huang, Frank Braley, Alexandre Chenorkian, Jonathan Fournel, Salih Can Gevrek, Julien Libeer, Jean-Claude Vanden Eynden, Philippe Cormann, Quartetto Adorno, Trio Ernest, Karski Quartet. (4CD, 2022, Fuga Libera | Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel | Palazzetto Bru Zane) – Press awards: Diapason d'Or of the year 2022,^[43] ffff Télérama.

Notes and References

1. News: Del Zoppo . Silvia . 24 July 2022 . Un Clavicembalo ben colorato – Julien Libeer intervista . Julien Libeer's interview . it . MusicPaper.it . Italy . 2023-02-26.
2. News: Robault . Adélaïde . 11 February 2022 . La playlist classique de Julien Libeer, pianiste . The classical playlist of Julien Libeer, pianist . fr . Classique mais pas has been . France . 2023-02-26.
3. News: Maddocks . Fiona . 1 March 2020 . It's no surprise to find Libeer names the Romanian pianist Dinu Lipatti (1917–50) as an influence. Libeer, too, in his Bach, has a similar purity of style, finesse and a fluid, rhythmic energy. . The Observer/The Guardian . 2023-02-26.
4. News: Julien Libeer Biography by James Manheim . AllMusic . 2023-02-26.
5. News: Scotney . Sebastian . 2 February 2014 . theartsdesk in Brussels: Chapelle Musicale Reine Elisabeth at 75 . reviews, news & interviews . theartsdesk.com . 2023-02-26.
6. News: Muñoz . Mario . 8 February 2015 . Maria João Pires: sentido y sensibilidad . Maria João Pires: sense and sensibility . El elegido en esta ocasión para acompañarla era Julien Libeer, alumno suyo y pianista muy notable a pesar de no haber cumplido aún treinta años. . The one chosen on this occasion to accompany her was Julien Libeer, her pupil and very notable pianist despite not having turned thirty yet. . es . bachtrack.com . 2023-02-26.
7. News: Van Der Speeten . Geert . 13 February 2016 . Mijn ouders probeerden me nooit een echt beroep aan te praten . My parents never tried to talk me into a real profession . nl . De Standaard . 2023-02-26.
8. Web site: European Juventus Prize 2008 . 26 February 2023.
9. News: 28 November 2013 . De Klara's: Nominaties editie 2013 bekend . De Klara's: Nominations edition 2013 announced . nl . muziekcentrum.kunsten.be . 2023-02-26.
10. News: 28 January 2017 . Klara in deSingel – klassieke muziekprijzen: Dit zijn de winnaars van de Klara's 2016 . Klara in deSingel – classical music awards: These are the winners of the Klara's 2016 . nl . Klara.be . 2023-02-26.
11. Web site: Artists in residence Flagey 2022/2023 . 26 February 2023.
12. News: 15 January 2016 . Camille Thomas and Julien Libeer play Schumann, Franck, Shostakovich and Ginastera – Debut at Flâneries musicales de Reims (France) . Medici.tv . 2023-02-26.
13. News: Witteman . Paul . 8 May 2022 . Podium Witteman – Season 11 Afl. 19 – Guests: Julien Libeer, Perry Hoogendijk, Martin Schippers, Rob Dirksen,... . nl . NPO2/NPO Klassiek . Podium Witteman . 2023-02-26.
14. News: Graulus . Laurent . 8 December 2013 . Julien Libeer's interview . fr . Musiq'3/RTBF . Puisque vous avez du talent . 2023-02-26.
15. News: Van Reeth . Adèle . 4 February 2020 . Philosophize with Beethoven – Épisode 2/3 : La sonate du pianiste – Guest: Julien Libeer . fr . France Culture . Les Chemins de la philosophie . 2023-02-26.
16. News: 15 January 2016 . Studio Flagey Klassiek on Canvas . A talk show about classical music with Julien Libeer . fr . Canvas.be . 2023-02-26.
17. News: Salon Libeer – Camille Thomas plays Prokofiev and Shostakovich . Julien Libeer investigates the difficult circumstances in which these works were created . Concertgebouw.be . 2023-02-26.
18. News: Salon Libeer – Bach & Bartók . Julien Libeer and Chris Maene discuss strings and keys . Concertgebouw.be . 2023-02-26.
19. Web site: Dead or alive: lezing – concert – debat . nl . LUCA School of Arts . 26 February 2023.
20. Web site: Technique doesn't exist . Documentary film . Askonas Holt . 31 October 2016 . 26 February 2023.
21. News: Graulus . Laurent . 8 December 2013 . Julien Libeer, pianiste . fr . Musiq'3/RTBF . Vous avez du talent . 2023-02-26.
22. News: 16 April 2018 . Classique en prime : Jeunes Solistes, Grands Destins : Julien Libeer . Young soloists, great destiny: Julien Libeer . fr . Musiq'3/RTBF . 2023-02-26.
23. Web site: Singing Molenbeek Website . fr . 26 February 2023.
24. News: 10 December 2017 . Julien Libeer: Singing Molenbeek . Flagey.be . 2023-02-26.
25. News: 18 November 2016 . Réminiscences – Album review . Camille Thomas and Julien Liebeer, ardent champions of chamber music, have devised an exceptionally varied yet coherent recital of French music for cello and piano . prestomusic.com . 2023-02-27.
26. News: Hévry . Benedict . 11 July 2017 . Le duo Lorenzo Gatto – Julien Libeer sur les cimes beethovéniennes . The duo Lorenzo Gatto – Julien Libeer on the peaks of Beethoven . fr . Resmusica.com . 2023-02-27.
27. News: 24 January 2020 . Julien Libeer launches partnership with harmonia mundi . askonasholt.com . 2023-02-27.
28. News: van Oorschot . Guido . 26 January 2023 . Cappella Amsterdam overbrugt met pianist Julien Libeer vijf eeuwen koormuziek ★★★★☆ . Cappella Amsterdam bridges five centuries of choral music with pianist Julien Libeer . nl . De Volkskrant . 2023-02-27.
29. News: 19 February 2022 . Classical CDs: Pealing bells, abandoned ballrooms and abrasive brass . Libeer's Bach playing has wonderful verve, fluency and conviction . theartsdesk.com . 2023-02-27.
30. News: Armbruster . Frank . 17 February 2022 . Rezension Julien Libeer – A well-Tempered conversation: Dialog mit Bach . Review Julien Libeer – A well-Tempered conversation: Dialogue with Bach . de . Concerti.de . 2023-02-27.
31. News: Bourdais . Sophie . 18 January 2022 . ffff on aime passionnément – J.S. Bach & Beyond : A Well-Tempered Conversation . ffff We love passionately . fr . Télérama . 2023-02-27.
32. News: 10 December 2022 . RADAR HET BESTE VAN 2022, De klassieke albums van het jaar . RADAR THE BEST OF 2022, The classic albums of the year . nl . De Standaard . 2023-02-27.
33. News: 24 March 2022 . CD-Besprechung – A Well-Tempered Conversation: Klassik Heute Empfehlung . CD Review . de . Klassik-Heute . 2023-02-27.
34. News: Lieberman . Patrice . 2 May 2022 . Julien Libeer ose le dialogue entre le Clavier bien tempéré de Bach et la postérité . Julien Libeer dares the dialogue between Bach's well-tempered Keyboard and posterity . fr . Crescendo Magazine . 2023-02-27.
35. News: Duchen . Jessica . 15 April 2020 . JS Bach • Bartók – Album review **** . BBC Music Magazine . 2023-02-27.
36. News: van der Wal . Aart . 1 February 2016 . Julien Libeer – Lignes Claires – CD-recensie . Album review . Zo is ook het spel van Julien Libeer, dat naar mijn gevoel uitmondt in een weliswaar deels postume maar toch niet minder actuele ontmoeting tussen drie meesters van het klavier: Lipatti, Ravel en Libeer. . This is a posthumous but no less contemporary encounter between three masters of the keyboard: Lipatti, Ravel and Libeer. . opusklassiek.nl . 2023-02-27.
37. News: Moreau . Aurélie . 6 December 2019 . Le Beethoven vaillant de Lorenzo Gatto et Julien Libeer . The valiant Beethoven by Lorenzo Gatto and Julien Libeer . fr . France Musique . 2023-02-27.
38. News: Hanlon . Richard . 1 November 2018 . Album Review . The Alpha engineers seem to have achieved an almost perfect, natural balance. On that account alone I wholeheartedly commend these lovely, warm performances to lovers of these mercurial masterpieces. Frankly on this evidence Gatto and Libeer can hold their heads high in the face of any of this competition. . MusicWeb International . 2023-02-27.
39. News: D.-M . M. . 24 December 2016 . Diapason d'or de l'année 2016 : Beethoven par Lorenzo Gatto et Julien Libeer . Diapason d'or of the year 2016: Beethoven by Lorenzo Gatto and Julien Libeer . fr . Diapason Magazine . 2023-02-27.
40. News: Buddecke . Johann . 24 October 2017 . ECHO KLASSIK 2017: Camille Thomas und Julien Libeer – Der Klang des Fin de siècle . The sound of the Fin de siècle . de . Concerti.de . 2023-02-27.
41. News: Clements . Dominy . 1 March 2019 . Julien Libeer – Lignes Parallèlles – Album Review . This superbly curated and produced programme stands on its own, and comes with the highest recommendation as far as I'm concerned. . MusicWeb International . 2023-02-27.
42. News: Tribot . Pierre Jean . 11 February 2019 . Interview – Julien Libeer, un pianiste dans son temps. . Interview – Julien Libeer, a pianist of his time. . fr . Crescendo Magazine . 2023-02-27.
43. News: Fauchet . Benoît . 1 January 2023 . Diapason d'or de l'année pour le projet Franck de Fuga Libera . Diapason d'or of the year for Fuga Libera's Franck project . fr . Diapason Magazine . 2023-02-27.