Annual report 2024: Reflection

Audience mediation

The Antwerp Symphony Orchestra reaches beyond the score. Through a multidisciplinary supporting programme, we invite our audience to engage in deeper reflection and a broader concert experience.

During the first half of 2025, the theme ‘Over Leven’ was brought to visual life through a unique curation by photographer Lieve Blancquaert. Her poignant images of the beginning and end of human existence formed a moving dialogue with our symphonic programming. This exploration continued during the Season Happening themed ‘Music and Time’. In a dialogue between thrilling symphonic music and physicist Thomas Hertog – who collaborated closely with Stephen Hawking – we explored the foundations of time and the mystery of our origins.

The intellectual exploration reached its peak at the symposium on artistic legacy, where, together with the custodians of the estates of Luc Brewaeys and Rachmaninov, we reflected on how an artist's voice continues to resonate after death.

Friends experience more

The Friends of the Orchestra form the heart of our community. Thanks to a series of exclusive activities, they are closely involved in the inner workings of the orchestra, both in front of and behind the scenes. In 2025, this resulted in a programme that was as varied as it was inspiring.

Musical mastery took centre stage during a personal encounter with trumpeter Steven Verhaert, who provided a fascinating insight into the world of his instrument. In addition, the Friends discovered the historical beauty of AMUZ during a guided tour and were the first to attend the presentation of the new concert season. The visual dialogue of the season was made even more accessible through free entry to Lieve Blancquaert’s exclusive exhibition in the business lounge.

An absolute highlight of 2025 was the Friends' trip to Bucharest. Following in the orchestra's footsteps, the Friends travelled to the prestigious George Enescu Festival. Alongside the symphonic highlights, the trip was enriched with an in-depth cultural exploration of the Romanian capital, creating an unforgettable shared experience.

Press

Mentions

In 2025, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra was mentioned 240 times in domestic and international media – to the best of the orchestra’s knowledge.

• Medium
  126x website
  54x newspaper
  51x radio
  7x magazine
  2x television
• National
  143x Flanders
  8x French-speaking Belgium
• International
  25x Netherlands
  64x other countries

Press Quotes

“Brilliant Szymanowski from Christian Tetzlaff and the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra” - Marc Haegeman,Bachtrack

09.01.2025 - Muziekcentrum De Bijloke, Gent

“Wie beweert dat het symfonisch orkest zijn beste tijd heeft gehad, heeft even niet opgelet." - Only The Sound Remains

03.05.2025 - Koningin Elisabethzaal, Antwerpen

Recordings & broadcasts