Frédéric Devreese gained recognition mostly through his film scores. He gained experience at the BRT (the Belgian Radio & Television Broadcasting) at first as sonorisator and later as conducter and producer of films and television shows. His most intense collaboration was perhaps with Belgian film maker André Delvaux (1926-2002), for whom he composed scores for practically all his films. From those film scores Devreese also made orchestral versions, in which he wove together different musical fragments into a suite, bringing to life the cinematic imagery in the concert halls.

But his oeuvre is much wider than that: Devreese also composed four piano concertos, a violin concerto, a symphony, chamber music, two operas, ballet suites and lieder. In 1983, his Piano Concerto No. 4 was the compulsory work for the Queen Elisabeth Competition. His great creative output resulted in received several national and international awards, including the Georges Delerue Award, the Plateau Music Award and the Klara Lifetime Achievement Award (Klara Carrièereprijs, 2006).

In 2019, Brussels Philharmonic paid tribute to the father of the Belgian film music. On the occassion of Devreese's 90th birthday, the orchestra together with Liebrecht Vanbeckevoort, performed a musical portrait of - and in presence of - the maestro himself. A special appeal of his music has always been the exceptional quality and the power to evoke images, with or without film. He was able to create a remarkable world that is accessible, imaginative and always in touch with our times. He was a true master, who will always live on in our hearts.

Rest in peace, dear Freddy, we will miss you...

Spotify playlist: In Memoriam Frédéric Devreese