Maastricht, June 19, 2001
Dear Sir or Madam:
The package enclosed with this letter, will give you insight into the career, the recordings, and the art of Geert Van Gele, a cutting-edge recorder player from Antwerp, Belgium.
Geert Van Gele is a special breed of musician: a non-conformist who is not interested in trends and fashion in the music scene, but an artist who steadily works towards his own set of goals -- developing his own voice without making any compromises, never fearing any risks. He is always on the lookout for creating new frontiers for the repertoire of his instrument, and for creating interesting alliances with couragious fellow musicians who share his vision for experimentation. Internationally renowned recorder artists such as Marion Verbruggen, Dan Laurin, Loeki Stardust Quartet and many others, have a deep and sincere appreciation for his work.
In 1985 he was a founding member of the Flanders' Recorder Quartet. More recently he has begun working with Flemish keyboard-specialist Guy Penson on the repertoire for recorder and harpsichord, organ and piano, and with the American historical-harpist William Taylor. Together with Mr. Taylor he has researched the repertoire for recorder and harp from the Middle Ages and early Renaissance and has produced concerts that bond exquisite virtuosity with sparkling interpretations while always respecting the historical contexts of the performed oeuvre.
Specialized research into the repertoire as well as the possibilities of his instrument are the important focal points for Geert Van Gele. As a result he recorded in 1995 contemporary Flemish composers on the Belgian label,Vox Temporis.
The current high point of his accomplishments is without question the Bach-project which he started in 2000. Geert arranged the famous cello-suites of Bach for recorder, and has performed suite nr, 1, 2 and 3 several times during try-outs. With complete respect for Bach's score, he was able to create a unique soundworld through a virtuoso breathing technique, geared towards the specific instruments (voice flute, bass recorder and alto recorder.)
Research demands time, reflection and concentration. Because of this, Geert Van Gele commits himself and the first half of the year towards his own personal search, in order to share the results of this search with an audience that wants to be surprised and amazed.
I sincerely want to invite you to become surprised and amazed. Geert Van Gele is one of the best-kept secrets of the Belgian music scene. You have the unique opportunity to reveal this secret to many music lovers.
Paul Lambrechts
Senior advisor for Arts and Culture
to the City of Maastricht, the Netherlands