Vocal Fabric
The open laboratory of the Vlaams Radiokoor, in which we explore and transcend the boundaries of a cappella music.
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The Radiokoor
Silence is the most beautiful sound. Then comes the voice.
Letting songs live. Letting people feel. Letting voices grow.
Since 1937, the Vlaams Radiokoor has been a reference for vocal music, both in Flanders and in Europe. The voice is the ultimate interpreter of our emotions, and the choir is one of its greatest ambassadors.
With every concert, we journey beyond the edges of a cappella music: unveiling, sharing, and surpassing its bounds. For the voice is more than an instrument – it is the unseen thread that weaves together the music, the audience, society, other art forms, and fellow musicians. A temporary and fleeting bond, but the impression is permanent – like a tattoo on the soul.
To sing is to give music oxygen, literally.
To listen is to hear the sound of your own emotions.
From NIR pioneer to Flagey
The Vlaams Radiokoor was founded in 1937 as a professional chamber choir by the public broadcaster of the time (NIR). In those days, recordings were scarce; music could only truly be experienced through live performance. That very origin remains the driving force behind the Radiokoor today.
The choir exists today to preserve our vocal heritage and the art of singing, while continuously adding new elements to it. Singing this music keeps it alive. And as long as it lives on, it will continue to touch and inspire future generations.
Conducted by Bart Van Reyn
Music director Bart Van Reyn shares that exact same passion with the Radiokoor: for both baroque and contemporary repertoire, alongside a steadfast belief in the voice as the ultimate interpreter of our emotions, and the commitment to make our vocal heritage accessible to everyone.
From Studio 1 in Flagey (Brussels), the 32 singers of the Vlaams Radiokoor work together with Bart on a versatile and groundbreaking musical project.
Our musical universe
First and foremost, the Vocal Fabric productions – the laboratory of the Radiokoor. Vocal Fabric organizes concerts that test the boundaries of vocal music and are challenging, quirky and non-conformist. With great hospitality and an intense experience as the golden thread, we bring together the people on stage and those in the hall: vocal harmony is proof that people are more magnificent together than alone.
The Radiokoor also enjoys delving into ancient music, exploring the Ars Perfecta: an exquisite blend of mysticism and drama, crafted for discerning connoisseurs.
Major symphonic orchestras or smaller formations – with these musical colleagues, we expand our reach, both literally and figuratively, since many of these Ensembles are European. In addition, the choir works regularly with renowned instrumental ensembles from Belgium and abroad, such as the Brussels Philharmonic, Ictus, the Belgian National Orchestra, De Munt/La Monnaie, Les Siècles, Les Talens Lyriques, the Budapest Festival Orchesta and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.
Tous ensemble; that is what we believe in. Under the banner of Atelier, the Vlaams Radiokoor is first and foremost a living portal for repertoire, knowledge, experience and voices. It makes our vocal heritage accessible to singers and audiences alike, while also investing in the creation of new vocal works. The choir thus feeds amateurs and professionals with programming, technique and expertise.
Ars Perfecta
A deep dive into ancient music: fine connoisseurship balancing on the thin line between mysticism and drama.
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Atelier
The living portal of the Radiokoor, where we share knowledge and expertise to nurture and inspire both amateurs and professionals.
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Recorded heritage
The Vlaams Radiokoor also retains its unique status as a radio choir: a great many concert productions are recorded, and hence the choir has built up a unique collection of live recordings. The collection is constantly supplemented with a selection of studio recordings, thus preserving the vocal heritage for the future.
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The Vlaams Radiokoor is an institution of the Flemish Community.