Summer Sounds: Jean
symphonies, brass bands, Tomorrowland and French chansons – this is tubist Jean's kind of summer
#08 Hélène Koerver
I'm Hélène, violist with Brussels Philharmonic since 2018. I grew up in a family of musicians. Some mornings, my dad would wake us up playing the bombarde, a traditional Breton wind instrument. At night, my mum would often play Debussy's Arabesque on the piano to put us to sleep.
When I was seven, I heard the viola for the first time and knew immediately I wanted to play that 'big violin'. That's how I got started: with a half-size violin fitted with a C string.
Summer Sounds on SpotifyBeyond the viola
I sometimes look around the orchestra stage during rehearsal and would love to try pretty much everything. I would also love to learn the bagpipe - of course, somewhere in the mountains! As a child, I used to play the recorder, and every now and then I still pick it up and play a bit of Baroque or Renaissance music... but only in my living room, when no one else is around!
On repeat
Classical music-wise, I listen to a lot of Romantic and late Romantic repertoire and, of course, Bach. Some of my favourite pieces are Schumann's String Quartet No. 3, Fauré's Pavane, and Szymanowski's Stabat Mater. I just can't get enough...
I listen to music a lot! And almost entirely according to my mood. But I can't multitask. When I’m really into it, I can’t do anything else at the same time – very time-consuming!
I also listen to a lot of electro, techno, drum and bass, rock, rap, pop – you name it! The last concerts I went to were Echt!, Khruangbin and a funk band called Super Content. Lately, Olivia Dean has been on repeat – perfect cooking music.
Summer Soundtrack
My summer playlist is filled with non-classical stuff: fresh and upbeat things like MYD Live Band, Arsenal, Klangkarussell. I also love going to festivals, discovering artists I don't usually listen to, like The Blaze, Papooz, Hindi Zahra, Ben Harper, Youssoupha.
PLAYLIST
Kruangbin Evan Finds the Third Room
Paul Kalkbrenner Sky and Sand
Oro Kavatza Selanik Turbo Bend
White Stripes Icky Thump
Glass Animals Heat Waves
Céline Dion Pour que tu m'aimes encore
Céline Dion Je sais pas
Céline Dion J'irai où tu iras
Johannes Brahms String Quintet No. 1 in F Major, Op. 88
Klangkarussell Netzwerk (Falls Like Rain)
Arsenal Amplify
MYD Live Band The Sun
Youssoupha Polaroid experience
Papooz Ann Wants to Dance
The Blaze TERRITORY
Ben Harper She’s Only Happy in the Sun
Hindi Zahra Un jour
Ibrahim Maalouf True Sorry
Guilty Pleasures?
I'd have to say Heat Waves by Glass Animals, for its flow and bass, and Céline Dion’s D'eux album. I often listen to it on my way home after a Brussels Philharmonic concert. What an album! Her voice, the music, the lyrics… it really carries me away.
Summer mode: on
Ideally, in summer I go to the mountains, far away from the buzz of the city. I like to go back to basics: hiking, climbing and enjoying the silence.
This year I'm heading to Norway on a road trip. Hopefully spotting orcas while kayaking, fingers crossed! I'll save the music for the drive home: Brahms' String Sextet No. 1 in B-flat major, to ease me back into the new season.
Summer Sounds: Michele
for bassoonist Michele, it's Scarlatti, Rameau, Bobby McFerrin, Battiato and... yes, reggaeton
Summer Sounds : Emmanuel
from David Guetta to Madonna and Lady Gaga: this is cellist and personal trainer Emmanuel's summer soundtrack
