The Gents Madrigaalkoor was established in 1966 as a group of 20 young singers; Johan Duijck was appointed conductor in 1973. In contrast to the fashion at that time for small renaissance and baroque ensembles he built the choir up into a big romantic choir. Gradually the Gents Madrigaalkoor has established a unique place in the cultural life of Flanders.

The choir's repertoire is built around three main themes.

1. Romantic Music: Works such as Der Stern von Bethlehem (Joseph Rheinberger), Fest- und Gedenksprüche (Johannes Brahms), Songs of Farewell (Sir Hubert Parry), Psalms and Motets (Felix Mendelssonh-Bartholdy) enable the choir to display a rich and varied sound.
2. Modern Music: The choir has attained international recognition for first performances of more than twenty choral works of the most well known contemporary Flemish composers: Rosseau, Roelstraete, Nees, Coryn, Schollaert, Duijck, Pieters, Budai. Many of these works were composed especially for the Gents Madrigaalkoor.
3. Important accompanied choral works: Händel (Dixit Dominus, Coronation Anthems, Alexander’s Feast, Israel in Egypt), Haydn (Schöpfung, Paukenmessse, Nelsonmesse), Mozart (Requiem, Mis in c), Stravinsky (Les Noces), Britten (War Requiem, St. Nicolascantate, Cantata Misericordium), Glass (Koorsymfonie ), Coryn (Winds of Dawn, Deux mille regretz), Duijck (Alma de la música)

Since 1972 the choir has sung in the highest category of choirs in East Flanders (Belgium). It was awarded first prize in the national singing competition held by RTBF (broadcaster of the French community in Belgium). The choir gives about ten concerts a year and makes regular tours - England, Spain, Portugal, Hungary ... In 1997 it was appointed Cultural Ambassador for Flanders. In 2000 Coryn's work Deux mille regretz, a commission from the Gents Madrigaalkoor, was recognised by the European Federation of Young Choirs, Europa Cantat, for its originality. In 2002 the choir took part in the "Koor van het Jaar" competition and won the title of Choir of the year.

Recordings

recordings of the Gents Madrigaalkoor:

• Gaude Virgo: Five centuries of choral music dedicated to the Virgin Mary (1980, Eufoda 1197)
• Daar Wij Minne Kozen: Love songs from the 20th Century (1983, Eufoda 1083; cd: F9503)
• M. A. Charpentier: Te Deum - De Profundis - Mors Saulis et Jonathae (Louis Devos, conductor) with Cantabile Gent & Musica Polyphonica (1981-1984) (LP STU71466 - Grand Prix International de Disque Lyrique), (Erato CD2292-45202-2), (CD88163)
• Late Renaissance in Engeland en Italië (1987, Eufoda 1118)
• Vic Nees - Anima Christi: Lauds for Ignatius of Loyola (1990, Eufoda 1146)
• Op eigen vleugels: Johannes Brahms, Robert Schuman, Edgar Tinel, Benjamin Britten, Johan Duijck and Henk Badings, for choir and piano (1992, GMK 92)
• Zoltán Kodály: Hungarian songs and the Missa Brevis; László Heltay (conductor) with the choir from the Koninklijk Muziekconservatorium of Gent and Edward De Geest (1993,RSJ280593)
• Wolcum Yole ! : European Christmas songs (1998, GMK 06)
• el Camino del Alma, with three major works by Johan Duijck: Alma de la Música, Cantar del Alma; Alma, búscate en Mí (2007, Phaedra 92054)

Met de steun van de stad Gent, dienst Receptieve Ruimten.

Met de steun van de Vlaamse minister van Cultuur, Jeugd, Sport, Brusselse Aangelegenheden en Ontwikkelingssamenwerking.

Gents Madrigaalkoor
Albrecht Rodenbachstraat 124
B-9040 Sint-Amandsberg
België
tel: +32-488-295246
secretariaat@gmk.be