Donemus Publishing, in collaboration with the Luc Brewaeys Foundation, Universiteitsarchief KU Leuven, MATRIX (Centrum voor Nieuwe Muziek), and CEMPER (Centrum voor Muziek en Podiumerfgoed), is very happy to announce the launch of the ‘Luc Brewaeys’ Symphonic Legacy’ project, running from August 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025.
This initiative focuses on the symphonies of Luc Brewaeys (1959-2015), one of our most prominent Flemish composer known for his complex orchestral compositions. Brewaeys’ extensive and high-quality discography, coupled with numerous international awards and commissions, made him one of the leading composers of his generation.
Brewaeys’ music is characterized by its exuberance and meticulous precision, with his orchestral scores showcasing hundreds of dancing notes. Composing without a piano and visualizing his music entirely in his mind, Brewaeys’ creative process involved transferring these mental constructs directly into written music, first in ink and later digitally via Sibelius for his later works. However, his early symphonies exist solely in handwritten form.
The primary goal of this project is the digitization of the first four symphonies and the sixth symphony. The complexity and density of Brewaeys’ compositions, combined with the necessity for digital scores in contemporary performances, make this an essential task. Despite Brewaeys’ impeccable handwriting, the intricacies of his music require professional digital notation to be accessible for future performances.
Donemus Publishing, a specialist in contemporary digital music editions, has been distributing Brewaeys’ work since 2014. Given their expertise and longstanding relationship with the composer, Donemus is a natural partner in this significant project.
This initiative has received approval and funding from the Flemish Minister for Culture. The minister supports 13 pilot projects aimed at preserving the legacies of contemporary Flemish artists, including Guy Rombouts, and Klaas Verplancke. These subsidies are intended to ensure that the archives and practices of these artists are preserved for future generations.
The ‘Luc Brewaeys’ Symphonic Legacy’ project addresses the challenges in archiving and managing the collections of contemporary artists, particularly those from the 20th century who are now concluding their careers. The Flemish cultural policy emphasizes the importance of maintaining and safeguarding these invaluable artistic legacies.
Composers in the crosshairs of our attention