The Gallo-Roman Museum in Tongeren is organising a series of concerts featuring music inspired by events from Roman times. De Werkmanszonen brass band from Riemst will play some unusual instruments for the occasion.
Swiss composer Ludovic Neurohr wrote a piece especially for the band, based on excerpts from Julius Caesar’s work Bello Gallico. Working with the museum, he developed it into an exceptional composition that seamlessly combines history and music. During the concert, several ancient instruments will make an appearance, such as a cornu (horn), a tympanum (tambourine) and a carnyx, which is a long Celtic trumpet with a striking dragon’s head.
Sander Cleuren will play the carnyx. “The sound is impressive: raw, loud and piercing. It sounds like a war cry cast in metal,” he says. “2,000 years ago, this trumpet was used to give marching orders.”
Behind the scenes at rehearsals
The sound is impressive: raw, loud and piercing. It sounds like a war cry cast in metal
The story is based on Ambiorix, Caesar and the area’s Roman past. Classicist Patrick De Rynck provides the interpretation of the music: “It is also a painful theme, especially in our time. But you can express that beautifully in music – as the Swiss composer and the other composers have done.” During the concert, visual artist Gerda Dendooven will create live illustrations to the rhythm and sounds of the music. There are three performances of Echoes of the Empire . The concerts on 10 and 11 May are sold out, but there are still tickets available for 16 May.
This article was written with journalism students Briana Arrigucci and Noor Corthouts from PXL University College.