Classical, jazz & world music

06 March 2023

  

Jazz rehearsal studio with instruments
© iStock

For lovers of classical music, of all genres

Classical music seems to have a love affair with architecture, because the concert halls in this list are all heritage gems that are worth a visit, for their architecture alone.

Is opera your thing? Then there’s one place to be, but what a place: the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie. In this static Neoclassical building on Place de la Monnaie you can indulge in world-class ballet, concertos and dance performances, as well as in addition to excellent opera productions.

View of the interior of the Théâtre Royal de La Monnaie from the stage
© Simon Van Rompay

The prestigious Henry Le Boeuf Hall at Bozar is the first on our list. This Art Deco gem was designed by Victor Horta. For ninety years this hall has welcomed the crème de la crème of the music world in the best acoustic set-up.

Around the corner is the Musical Instruments Museum or MIM, housed in the dazzlingly beautiful Old England building, an Art Nouveau masterpiece.  Here you can admire a wonderful collection of musical instruments and enjoy live concerts, during the Concerts de Midi for example.

On to Place Eugène Flagey. Here, your eyes are instantly drawn to the 1933  ship-like edifice by Art Deco architect Joseph Diongre. Welcome to the Flagey cultural centre, overlooking the ponds of Ixelles, which once housed the offices of the national broadcaster. Today, the various halls at Flagey host quality music concerts, especially (contemporary) classical and jazz music.

But there’s more! Classical music is flourishing in our capital. The Royal Conservatory offers a magnificent concert programme. Atelier Marcel Hastir also organises small-scale concerts that immerse you in a visual art bath.

In Brussels, prestigious festivals explore classical music in all its forms throughout the year. From early music (Festivita, in February) to the most contemporary variations (Ars Musica, in November) and everything in between. Attend the Piano Days, the KlaraFestival, Les Musicales de la Woluwe and the Queen Elisabeth Competition. Musiq'3, Midsummer Mozartiade, the Walden Festival, Midi-Minimes, Musicorum and Classissimo, accompany us during the summer months. Artonov in autumn and the Music Chapel Festival in December close the year in style.  Not to mention numerous performances in churches and in the cathedral, like L’été de l’Orgue and le Festival d'orgue du Grand Béguinage, which will have organ music lovers in seventh heaven.

Classical concert in the Atelier Marcel Hastir
© Atelier Marcel Hastir

For lovers of world music

Does flamenco awaken the beast in you? Does your heart skip a beat when you hear ethnic rhythms and sounds that are not often played on the radio? Does fado give you goosebumps? Then Muziekpublique is a must. Or why not enjoy a musical trip around the world from the red velvet seats of the Theatre Molière at Porte de Namur?

World music concert at Muziekpublique
© Mathieu Golinvaux

  

Just opposite the Belgian Comic Strip Center you will find Art Base. This is where you can meet Frans, a passionate art lover who invites small ensembles from all over the world to play music surrounded by art paintings. It doesn't get any more intimate than that: you can almost touch the musicians.

World music concert at Art Base
© Michel Brébant

  

Le Senghor is also a must in this list. This is actually the cultural centre of the commune of Etterbeek, named after Senegalese poet Leopold Senghor. This centre very strongly believes in the connecting power of music, and programmes jazz and classical repertoires in addition to traditional music.

Jazz concert on the Senghor stage
© Le Senghor

Not easy to label

Many venues cannot be pigeonholed. Bozar and Flagey also programme jazz and world music, just as Art Base and Atelier Marcel Hastir host both classical and traditional music. So does Le Baixu, at Tour & Taxis, with a passionate duo with a love of classical and Brazilian music at the helm. Fancy more? Check out the programming of Café Béguin, Motown Concerts, the Piano Fabriek, Sounds Resist, Crix Café, VK Concerts and Horloge du Sud!

All year-long you can attend festivals that explore every possible facet of traditional music, from flamenco (Bruselas Flamenco Festival, in March) to percussion (Percusounds, in August) via Balkan Trafik, Jam'in Jette and Cubalandz. Couleur Café traditionally kicks off the summer, followed by Hide & Seek and Fiesta Latina. Don't miss the Belgian World Music Night, an initiative promoting quality Belgian-based world music!

 

For jazz cats

Brussels is known the world over for its bubbly jazz scene. In addition to numerous jazz festivals that often take place outdoors, the genre is popular in the capital's cosy pubs and jazz clubs.  Curious about jazz in the city? 

Jazz in Brussels