New era in Brussels for Kazushi Ono

Kazushi Ono begins his tenure as Music Director of Brussels Philharmonic on 1 October with a programme of Mahler's Fifth Symphony and Mozart's Bassoon Concerto, with soloist Marceau Lefèvre.

The orchestra has prepared for Ono's arrival with a fresh website and brand design, marking a new era in its history. The new strategy includes four elements: Bucket List, an exploration of the great symphonic repertoire; Atelier, working with smaller formations; Lab, researching and exposing new music, with recently appointed Guest Conductor Ilan Volkov; and Film & Festival, centred around film music.

Ono himself is celebrating the new chapter with a new website design and a bespoke logo that reflects his movements and style as a conductor. He has also joined Instagram.

When the appointment was announced in September 2021, Ono said: ‘I am impressed by the players’ sound, sensibility, flexibility and passion, and I am certain of our potential to achieve something meaningful together. In my role as Music Director I will try to construct a broad base in my programming, with repertoire ranging from Classical through to the music of today. As we develop our relationship, we will open many doors and create a different world inside each one.’

The orchestra describes the new relationship: ‘By innovating while maintaining full respect for the value of the past, we keep the symphonic music of the past, present and future relevant and inspiring for ourselves and all of society. We do this from the historic Studio 4 at Flagey in Brussels, together with our Music Director Kazushi Ono: he shares our open and adventurous spirit and our rock-solid belief in the need for cross-fertilisation between art, life and society.’

The appointment marks a return for Ono to Brussels, where he was Music Director of La Monnaie between 2002 and 2008. He takes part in the celebrations for the 250th anniversary of La Monnaie with a concert of Richard Strauss, Massenet and Prokofiev on 9 October.