Pieter De Vos

ORGAN

The Belgian organist, harpsichordist and composer Pieter De Vos was born on the 2nd of February 1996. He represents a young generation of international musicians whose knowledge for the historical are combined with a thorough passion for music. Throughout his broad formation, Pieter met a lot of people who left a deep impression on him. These include Peter Pazmany, Luk Bastiaens, Peter Pieter, Luc Ponet, Jean-Baptiste Monnot, Wim Henderickx, Alain Craens, Bram Van Camp, Korneel Bernolet, Ewald Demeyere Frank Agsteribbe and Ketil Are Haugsand. Next to having a large interest in historical instruments and historical performance practice, Pieter is especially inspired by the sonic possibilities by the instruments he plays: the colors of the sound, the impact, the placing of the instrument in the space, etc. Because of this he is also a regular practitioner of improvisation. This makes Pieter into a very flexible player both in a concert situation and a liturgical one. Some examples were audible during the television-mass in Sint-Paulus (Antwerp) in 2023 and the Commemoration Mass for the Belgian Royal Family in 2025. Next to this, Pieter has the pleasure of presiding over the historical Zilveren Orgel (Forceville/Smet 1720/1839) in Broechem. Apart from playing concerts in Belgium, both as as soloist and with ensembles and orchestras (like Brussels Philharmonic and Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen) Pieter made his international debut in 2024 in the Italian city of Bergamo. He has been able to partake in several organ festivals. As a composer Pieter has written many compositions for very diverse instrumentations: symphonic orchestra (Dieser verdammter Krieg! 2024, commissioned by the Flanders Symphony Orchestra), music for historical instruments (Lamento a 5 2023 for 5 viola da gamba and organ, in memory of Wim Henderickx), lied (Redécouvertes 2023 for soprano and mixed ensemble), chamber music (Weightless/Aurora Borealis 2023 for mixed ensemble), solo music for diverse instruments (Méditation 2023 and Preludium ex e 2024 for organ solo) and liturgical pieces (Salve Regina 2021 for choir and organ, crowned with the price Salve Regina in the international composition concours Alden Biesen 2021). In all of these pieces, just like in his performances, there is a strong connection to the past. Be it in the esthetical choices, usage of the instrument, colors, etc. In short, Pieter is a musician who combines knowledge, professionalism and emotion, and through this achieves a music sounding in its broad spectrum of poetical possibilities.