BENJAMIN HAEMHOUTS Conductor, composer
''His knowledge of the repertory - old and new - results in inventive programming and mind-opening combinations, while always keeping the music alive."
- Susanna Mälkki, Chief Conductor of the Helsinki Philharmonic
''A musical director with an amazing mixture of business acumen and social charm.''
- Jonathan Nott, Chief Conductor of the Suisse Romande Orchestra
Artistic Director, Chief Conductor - The Chamber Orchestra of Belgium
Artistic Director - Antwerp Spring Festival
Musical Director - Lost and Found
If Benjamin Haemhouts was a word, it would be versatility. He is well known for his innovative programming and projects combining contemporary music with classics, performing in unconventional venues and public spaces as well as his work with influential choreographers. Haemhouts’ interpretations are characterised by conspicuous contrasts, accurate articulation and a dazzling, dynamic manner of making music.
As Artistic Director of CASCO Phil - the Chamber Orchestra of Belgium, Haemhouts has been pushing limits and boundaries of a classical orchestra's fixed form since 2008. As said by himself: “First comes the artistic idea, only then do we fill in the form” (Antenno). In 2019 he was invited to be the Artistic Director of the Antwerp Spring Festival where he invites border breaking artists from various genres to show the many different faces of the harbour city of Antwerp. The innovative opera project Lost and Found is another of his creative successes with co-producers such as the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Opera Ballet Flanders, O. Festival Rotterdam, Europalia and the Muziektheater Transparant. Currently he is also developing a multidisciplinary concept “24/7” which is an ecological and technological opera project based on a French cult film for a large symphony of car horns.
As in many of Haemhouts’ ideas, public space becomes the scene and has been described by him as follows: “To have a special experience, you don't have to listen to an orchestra of sixty people in a closed room with a thousand people. Innovation is perhaps a combination of things you are forced to do and the way you deal with it yourself” (Antenno).
As guest conductor, Haemhouts has led the Belgian National Orchestra (Belgium), the Argovia Philharmonic (Switzerland), Brussels Philharmonic (Belgium), Bamberger Symphoniker (Germany), Guanajuato Symphony Orchestra, the Orquesta de Cámara de Bellas Artes (Mexico), to name a few. Most recent debuts include the Philharmonie Zuidnederland (The Netherlands), the Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège (Belgium), the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra and Kaunas Symphony Orchestra (Lithuania) as well as highlight concerts with Bryce Dessner's music and Katia & Marielle Labeque, as well as the world premier of the contemporary opera “Cambio madre por moto“ with the Asko|Schönberg ensemble.
Benjamin Haemhouts began his professional career as a trombonist with the Rotterdam Philharmonic and the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra. Collaborating with conductors such as Sir Simon Rattle, Valery Gergiev, Bernard Haitink, Herbert Blomstedt, Gustavo Dudamel, Giuseppe Sinopoli, Jonathan Nott and Esa-Pekka Salonen made lasting impressions on him. During this time, he also conducted various youth orchestras such as the Junge Deutsche Philharmonie, the Antwerp Conservatory’s Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestre des Jeunesses Musicales as well as working as assistant conductor to his teacher, Alexander Polyanichko.
Furthermore, the forward looking mindset of Haemhouts, recognizing and creating new opportunities, has made him a pioneer of cultural entrepreneurship and alternative funding in Belgium and led him to be a keynote speaker at a wide variety of corporate events and conferences for big corporations like Adecco and the Belgian Post.
"Inspiring musician, visually exciting conductor."
Jonathan Nott, Chief Conductor of the Suisse Romande Orchestra
Contemporary dance has also played a prominent role in Benjamin Haemhouts work with CASCO Phil, presenting ground-breaking performances and projects, as for example, choreographies by Martha Graham, Maurice Béjart and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui were co-produced with the Opera Ballet Vlaanderen.
Thanks to CASCO Phil’s forward-thinking leadership, the collective has been involved in a wide range of creative projects, such as “Lost and found”, “Golf goes Classic”, “Symphonic Leadership” or “Cooking with Mozart”. As said by Haemhouts: “Innovation is perhaps a combination of things you are forced to do and the way you deal with it yourself. The most important condition for innovation is not necessarily wanting to innovate” (Antenno).
CASCO Phil’s innovative endeavours have led them to release “Once in a Weill”, a cabaret-inspired CD that explores the power of Kurt Weill’s vital musical heritage with mezzo-soprano Helene Bracke.
CASCO PHIL
Unexpected, adventurous, colourful and utterly flexible! This is how CASCO Phil presents itself. Adjectives which could also describe Benjamin Haemhouts, who has been the Artistic Director and Chief Conductor since its creation in 2008.
The Belgian Chamber Philharmonic or CASCO Phil is an innovative and adventurous collective in the guise of a classical orchestra providing tailor-made solutions to every new challenge they set for themselves.
A major part of CASCO Phil’s work focuses on social commitment and children, for example with the project “A Little Beethoven”. CASCO Phil’s approach, according to which all levels of the population should have access to music and that an orchestra should be an active member in society, has gained enormous attraction in Belgium and is also becoming increasingly popular internationally. Consequently, CASCO Phil is being described as a big house with many rooms, because it houses a “House for Social Engagement”, a “House for young composers” and a “House for Children” (Muziek en Woord).
“A new chamber orchestra is taking music to the people.”
Marie Dumont, Flanders Today
Lost and Found
"Each interpretation made an impact."
Erica Jeal, The Guardian
This innovative opera project of Haemhouts’ is staged in train stations and based on passenger inputs. Brand-new opera commissions are sung by rising stars of the opera world, accompanied by musicians from renowned partnering ensembles.
“Lost and Found” is a co-production between the Royal Opera (Covent Garden), Opera Ballet Flanders, O. Festival Rotterdam, Europalia Arts Festival, Muziektheater Transparant and Casco Phil, and has been presented in London, Antwerp, Brussels and Rotterdam. In the upcoming seasons agreements have been made with the Royal Danish Opera, among others.
“Lost and Found” aims to establish a dialogue between the train stations and the variety of local stories, memories and observations around the theme of railway travel of the people living there - from intimately personal accounts to public matters.
The audience is able to not only witness the opera's creation, but also participate in it. A local team of artists (librettists, composers, dramaturges) collect local stories from bypassers and translate them into operas.
The artists work together in a creative space - a transparent cube installed inside the train station. Each day a performance, based on the interactions of that day, is put on.
The final composition brings together these daily micro operas and takes the form of an extended performance in which musicians and singers share the result through visual and kinetic experiences.
“With each piece lasting only a few minutes, and with the performance spaces spread out around the station, works were performed two or three times in a row. Hearing things again immediately, often interpreted by different singers, made for some of the most satisfying listening.”
Erica Jeal, The Guardian
ROMANTIC
Beethoven, L. Concerto for piano and orchestra nr 1 in C-major op 15 Concerto for piano and orchestra nr 2 in B-major op 19 Concerto for piano and orchestra nr 3 in c-minor op 37 Romanzen for violin and orchestra op 40, op 50 Concerto for piano, violin, cello and orchestra in C-major op 56 (triple concert) Concerto for piano and orchestra nr 4 in G-major op 58 Concerto for piano and orchestra nr 5 in Es-major op 73 Concerto for piano and orchestra nr 2 in f-minor op 21 Symphonie 1 C-Dur op 21 Symphonie 2 D-Dur op 36 Symphonie 3 Es-Dur op 55 Symphonie 4 B-Dur op 60 Symphonie 5 C-Moll op 67 Symphonie 6 F-Dur op 68 Symphonie 7 A-Dur op 92 Symphonie 8 F-Dur op 93 Symphonie 9 D-Moll op 125 Coriolanus op 62 Leonore nr 1 op 138 Leonore nr 2 op 72 Leonore nr 3 op 72 Fidelio op 72 Egmont op 84 Symphonie 1 C-dur op 21 Symphonie 2 D-dur op 36 Symphonie 3 Es-dur op 55 Symphonie 4 B-dur op 60 Symphonie 5 C-moll op 67 Symphonie 6 F-dur op 68 Symphonie 7 A-dur op 92 Symphonie 9 D-moll op 125 Concerto Violin and Orchestra D-dur op61
Benoit, P.
De Schelde (L'Escaut)
Bizet, G. L’Arlésienne Suite nr 1 L’Arlésienne - suite nr 2 Incidental Music Symphony in C
Borodin, A.
Prince Igor: Polovetsian Dances
Brahms, J. Ungarische Tänze nr 5 Symphonie 1 C-Moll op 68 Symphonie 2 D-Dur op 73 Symphonie 4 E-Moll op 98
Bruch, M. Kol Nidrei op 47 Doppelkonzert e-minor op 88
Bruckner, A.
Symphonie 9 D-Moll
Chabrier, E.
España, Rhapsody for Orchestra
Dvorak, A. Slavische dans nr 8 Symphonie n. 9 E-moll op 95 Serenade in E op 22 Slavonic Dance nr 7 op 46
Elgar, E. Enigma Variations, on an original theme op 36 Serenade for string orchestra e-minor op 20
Fauré, G.
Requiem op 48
Ginastera, A.
Variacones Concertantes
Glinka, M.
Ruslan and Ludmila
Massenet, J.
Méditation
Offenbach, J.
Intermezzo and Barcarolle from the tales of Hoffmann
Rimski-Korsakov, N.
Schéhérazade Sinfonic Suite for Orchestra op35
Schubert Symphonie n.2 Symphonie n.5 in B-dur Symphonie n.7 in H-moll Symphonie n.8 in C-dur
Strauss, R Also sprach Zarathustra Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche Ein Heldenleben Don Juan Symphonic Poem op 20 Tod und Verklärung Symphonic Poem op 24 Eine Alpensinfonie op 64
Verdi, G.
Messa da Requiem
Sanfeliz, S.
Liaga
Grieg, E. Holberg-Suite op 40 Peer Gynt Suite op 46
Liszt, F.
Hungarian Rhapsody nr2
Mahler, G.
Symphonie 7
Mendelssohn, F. Sinfonie n.3 Schottische op56 Sinfonie n.4 in A-dur Italienische op90 Ouverture nr 1: to Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream Ouverture nr 3: Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage op 27 Concerto in e-minor for violin and orchestra op 64 Sinfonia I in C-major Sinfonia IV in C-minor Sinfonia VII in d-major A Midsummer night’s dream Son and Stranger
Moussorgsky, M./ Ravel, M.
Tableaux d’une exposition
Nicolai, O.
Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor: Ouverture
Paganini, N.
Violin Concerto nr 1 in D-major op 6
Puccini, G.
Crisantemi, for string orchestra
Ravel, M.
Daphnis et Chloé, ballet en un acte
Rossini, G. La Boutique fantastique - Suite from Ballet Introduction, theme and Variations for solo Clarinet and orchestra
Saint-Saëns, C. Danse Macabre Le Carnival des Animaux Introduction et Rondo capriccioso für violin und Orchester op 28
Sarasate
Carmen Fantasy op25
Schumann, R Ouverture, Scherzo and Finale op 53 Symphony 3 Es-Dur op 97
Sibelius Valse triste op 44 nr 1 Impromptu nach op 5 nr 5 und 6
Smetana
The Moldau
Strauss, J
An der schönen blauen Donau
Suppe, F.v.
Light Cavalry
Tchaikovsky, P. Variations on a Rococo Theme Symphony 4 F minor op 36 Symhpony 5 E minor op 64 Symphony 6 Bmin op 74 Serenade for Strings op 48 Marche Slave op 31 Suite from Nutcracker op 71a Andante Cantabile, from the String Quartet in D op 11 Serenade für Streichorchester C-dur op 48 Romeo and Juliet - ouverture
Vieuxtemps, H.
5e concerto for violin op 37
Weber, C.M. von Concerto for Clarinet and orchestra nr 1 f-minor Andante e Rondo Ungarese op 35
Berlioz, H.
Les Nuits d'été/ Sommernächte op 7
Weill, K.
Lovemusic
CLASSICISM
Haydn, J. Sinfonia nr 1 in D-dur Sinfonia nr 39 in G-moll Sinfonia n. 45 in Fis-moll, Abschieds-Symphonie Sinfonia n.55, Der Schulmeister Sinfonia n.64, Tempora Mutantur Sinfonia n.88 Sinfonia in C n.90 Sinfonia nr 101, die Uhr Sinfonia nr 104, Solomon Concerto for trumpet and orchestra in Es-major - Hob.VIIe:1 Concerto in C for cello and orchestra - Hob.VIIb:1 Concerto in D for cello and orchestra - Hob.VIIb:2 Sinfonia nr 44 e-minor 'Trauersinfonie'
Mozart, W.A. Symphonie n.40 in G-moll KV 550 Divertimento in Es, KV563 Divertimento in Es, KV563 Eine kleine Nachtmusik in G for strings Symphonie n.31 in D-dur KV 297 Symphonie n.25 in G-moll KV 183 Symphonie in C-dur KV 551 Concerto for violin and orchestra in D-major KV 218 Concerto for violin and orchestra in A-major KV 219 Concerto in D major, for violin and orchestra nr 2 KV 211 Concerto for piano and orchestra 'Jeunehomme' in Es-major KV 271 Concerto for piano and orchestra nr 20 in d-minor KV 466 Concerto for piano and orchestra in C-major KV 461 Concerto in C for piano and orchestra nr 21 KV 467 Concerto in Es for piano and orchestra nr 22 KV 482 Concerto in A for piano and orchestra nr 23 KV 488 Concerto for piano and orchestra in c-minor KV 491 Concerto for flute, harp and orchestra in C-major KV 299 (297c) Concerto for oboe and orchestra in C-major KV 314 (285d) Concerto for Clarinet and orchestra in A-major KV 622 Three Divertimenti for string quartet or string orchestra K 136, 137, 138 Serenade für zwei kleine Orchester D-major KV 239 Eine Kleine Nachtmusik in G for strings KV 525 Serenade für 2 Oboen, 2 Klarinetten, 2 Hörner und 2 Fagotte in Es-dur KV 375
Offenbach, J.
Les Larmes de Jacqueline für Violoncello und Streichorchester
Cherubini, L.
Démophon
Rossini, G.
Introduction, Theme and Variations for solo Clarinet and orchestra
Albrechtsberger, J.
Concerto per Trombone alto ed Archi
IMPRESSIONISM
Debussy, C.
Prélude à 'l'après-midi d'un faune'
Fauré, G. Requiem (1893 version) Requiem op 48 Pavane
Ibert, J./Haemhouts, B.
Le Petit âne Blanc, transcribed for small orchestra
Ravel, M. Pavane pour une Infante défunte Daphnis et Chloé, ballet en un acte Bolero
Respighi, O.
Fontane di Roma
MODERNISM
Bartok, B. Concerto for Orchestra Romanian Folk Dances
Hartmann, K.A
4. Symphonie für Streichorchester
Mahler, G.
Adagietto, from Mahler symphony nr 5
Prokofiev, S.
Peter en de Wolf
Riegger, W.
Chronicle
Shostakovich, D. Symphonie de chambre op 110a Concerto nr 2 op 102
Stravinsky, I. Histoire Du Soldat Concerto for piano and wind instruments
Weill, K.
Kleine Dreigroschenmusik
Barber, S.
Vanessa: Must the winter come so soon
Boulez, P.
Rituel in memoriam Bruna Maderna
Britten, B. Simple Symphony War Requiem
Debussy, C.
Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
Finzi, G.
Clarinet Concerto
Martinu, B. Symphony 1 Symphony 2 Symphony 3 Symphony 5 Sinfonietta la Jolla Symphony n.1 Symphony n.2 Symphony n.3 Sinfionetta la Jolla Fantaisies symphoniques
Kagel, M.
Marsch 4, Marsch 5, Marsch 6, Marsch 7
Poulenc, F.
Concerto in Ré mineur pour deux pianos & orchestre
Prokofiev, S. Peter and the Wolf op 67 Peter and the Wolf op 67 Classical Symphony L'amour des 3 Oranges Symphony nr 1 in D 'Classical' op 25
Ravel, M.
Concerto pour la main gauche pour piano et orchestre
Roussel, A.
Concert pour petit orchestre op 34
Schönberg, A.
Kammersymphonie für 15 Solo-Instrumente op 9
Shostakovich, D. Symphonie n.14 op135 Piano concert nr 2 Symphonie 8 op 65 Symphonie 14 op 135 Symphonie 15 op 141 Chamber Symphony op 73a Chamber Symphony op 83 Chamber Symphony op 110a
Schulhoff, E./Haemhouts, B
Blues, from esquisses de jazz
Stravinsky, I. Choral Variationen Symphonies of Wind instruments Mass Agon Canticum Sacrum Threni Requiem Canticles Symphony in C L’Oiseau de feu Tango The Rite of Spring Pulcinella Suite Apollon Musagète Le Baiser de la Fée Symphony of Psalms for Chorus and Orchestra Circus Polka The Rite of Spring/ Le sacre du printemps
Webern, A. Kantante II op 31 Passacaglia op 11 Im Sommerwind Langsamer Satz
MINIMALISM
Glass, P.
Symphony nr 5: Requiem, Bardo and Nirmanakaya
Masotto, L.
Sol levante
Meredi
White Flowers take their Bath
Reich, S.
City Life
Richter, M. Infra 5 On the nature of daylight
CONTEMPORARY
Adams, J.
Shaker Loops for string orchestra
Azarova, S.
Beyond Context
Bennett, R.R.
Concerto for Stan Getz (full score)
Birtwistle, H.
Earth Dances
Bainbridge, S. Ad Ora Incerta', four orchestral songs from Primo Levi Four Primo Levi Settings
Coppens, M. Music for Strings, opus 8 Music for 14 musicians, op 5
Desimpelaere, E.
Sinfonia Concertante
Deneire, H.
Bonaparte, monoloog met demonen
Doss, T.
Wurdalak
Haemhouts, B. Ouverture for Puurs Lamento, for violin, flute, clarinet, cello, harp and vibraphone Meditation II Chapel Sunrise Meditation I Overture for Puurs La Folia 2.5 (based on Corelli)
Headliner
The City So Nice They Named It Twice
Harvey, J.
Bhakti
Dessner, B. Trombone concerto, to Jorgen van Rijen Aheym Concerto for Two piano's St. Carolyn by the Sea St. Carolyn by the Sea
Hallgrimsson, H. Poemi for Violin and String Orchestra Rima
Henderickx, W. Flute concerto (Empty Mind I) Eine totale Entführung 2 Nocturnes, for flute, violin, viola, cello and double bass Sutra Mozart's Entführung...? SUTRA, for basset clarinet solo in A and ensemble
Ives, C.
The Unanswered Question for trumpet, flute quartet an strings
Jovanovic, D. Resolution Sequent
Lachenmann, H.
Mouvement (-vor der Erstarrung)
Neyrinck, F. Artikel 1 Fenster
Prengels, S.
Konstellation
Salonen,E-P.
Concerto for alto saxophone and orchestra
Højsgaard, E.
Fantasy Pieces
Lindberg, M.
Seht die Sonne
Johannsson, J.
Orphée - Good Night, Day
Kagel, M.
10 Märsche um den Sieg zu Verfehlen
Neve, J.
The Frank Sinatra Pianoconcerto
Laporte, A.
Concerto grosso “2000”, la creazione, for winds and percussion
Nørgård, P.
Lin (approach)
Pärt, A. Festina lente für Streichorchester und Harfe ad. lib. Cantus in mempry of Benjamin Britten Festina Lente Fratres Silouan's Song Orient & Occident
Prins, S.
Körper
Saariaho, K.
Aile du Songe: version 1 june 2001
Schneider, M.
Winter Morning Walks
Schnittke, A.
Dialog per violoncello solo e sette esecutori
Shaw, C. Plan and Elevation: IV The Orangery
Stockhausen, K. 3x Refrain 2000 nr 11 1/2 Orchester-Finalisten vom Mittwoch aus Licht Michaels Reise um die Erde (mit Trompete und Orchester) vom Donnerstag aus Licht Luzifers Tanz vom Samstag aus Licht Inori für einen oder zwei Solisten und Orchester
Strootman, A.
(In)dependence
Takemitsu, T. Rain Coming SJ 1012 Nostalghia, in Memory of Andrei Tarkovskij SJ 1045 Toward the sea II SJ 1046 A way a lone II SJ 1026 Tree Line SJ 1058 Archipelago S. SJ 1084 Scene SJ 1151
Van Der Roost, J. Rikudim for string orchestra Concierto de Homenaje
Van Parys, A.
Maanvis, for alto flute, cello, harp & percussion and film
Vercauteren, H. op 1 - Ich glaub nicht Reinaert
van Hove, L. 1e symfonie op 25 Stacked Time op 26 for Electric Guitar and Orchestra Triptiek for Oboe and Orchestra op 29 Diabelli Veränderungen
Vir, P.
Ultimate words: Infinite song
Vivier, Cl.
Wo Bist du, Licht
BAROQUE
Gluck, C.W. Orfeo ed Euridice: Ouverture Orfeo: dance of the Blessed Spirits Orpheus: Dance of the Furies ORCHESTRA
Händel, G.F.
Feuerwerksmusik HWV 351
Boccherini, L.
Sinfonia nr 6 in d-minor op 12/4 'La Casa del Diavolo'
Pergolesi, G.B.
Salve Regina
Tartini, G.
Le Trille Du Diable
Locatelli, P.A./Haemhouts, B.
Largo from Concerto Grosso nr 8
OPERA
Benoit, P.
Vlaanderens Kunstroem (Rubens Cantate)
Bizet, G.
Carmen
Duparc, H.
Phidylé
Glinka, M.
Ruslan and Lyudmila Ouverture
Glass, P. Symphony nr. 4 'Heroes' A symphonic ballet Orphée, an opera in two act’s La Belle et la Bète Einstein on the Beach
Gluck, C.W.
Orfeo ed Euridice
Goeyvaerts, K
Das Haar
Aquarius
Harvey, J.
Passion and Resurrection
Ligeti, G.
Concert Românesc
Requiem
Mozart, W.A. Magic Flute ouverture Die Entführung aus dem Serail Die Hochzeit des Figaro Don Giovanni Die Zauberflöte Così fan tutte
Nuyts, F.
Cambio madre por moto
Orff, C.
Carmina Burana
Pergolesi, G.B.
Stabat Mater
Van Parys, A.
Lost and Found
Purcell, H.
Dido and Aeneas
Rossini, G. Il barbieri di Siviglia La Cenerentola
Strauss, J. Die Fledermaus The Gypsy Baron
Verdi, G. Un Ballo in Maschera Don Carlo: Death of Rodrigo