Luc Brewaeys' Symphony no. 8

Brewaeys Festival

Few contemporary composers embody the symphonic tradition as fully as Belgian composer Luc Brewaeys. He began writing his Eighth Symphony in 2004, but the work remained unfinished at the time of his death in 2015. Inspired by another iconic “Eighth” — Beethoven’s — Brewaeys envisioned his own as a true “orgy of sound,” in his own words. True to his style, the orchestration is lush, imaginative, and delightfully unconventional… bottles included! His close collaborator and former student Annelies Van Parys took on the challenge of completing the symphony’s final movement. From the 4th Movement only a few bars were finished en no sketches or notes were found. Van Parys pieced together a possible finale in Brewaeys’ style and with only his material. A tour de force.

Commissioned by the Luc Brewaeys Foundation.

Belgian National Orchestra
Otto Tausk – musical direction

Coproduction: Bozar, Klarafestival, Belgian National Orchestra
In the context of Fasten Seat Belts! Celebrating Luc Brewaeys 2025-2026