PICCOLO SONATAS

In the slipstream of changing times, inspiration swirls. That, at least, is suggested by the sheer amount of music born from conclusions – the close of a season, the expiration of life, the lapse of an era, the evaporation of a dream.

5 composers, 5 works, 5 stories: an ode to exquisite endings. 

Peter Verhoyen
As piccolo solo of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, Peter has built up an excellent reputation as a specialist on his instrument. Together with pianist Stefan De Schepper, he has developed various concert programs and CD recordings for piccolo and piano. With these projects he demonstrates that the piccolo earns a spot on the concert stage as a recital instrument. For a contemporary touch, Peter asked several Flemish composers to write new works for his instrument. For his dedication to contemporary Flemish music, Peter has been awarded the Fuga Trofee from the Union of Belgian composers. As a piccolo specialist Peter is regularly invited to give masterclasses and piccolo recitals in conservatories and flute and piccolo festivals in Europe, Columbia, Brazil, Mexico, Australia and the USA. Peter teaches piccolo at the Royal Conservatoire in Antwerp, where he developed, as the first in Europe, a piccolo master program. He is also co-founder of the chamber music ensemble Arco Baleno, senior lecturer piccolo at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Graz and organizer of the International Flute Seminar Bruges. 

Stefan De Schepper
Stefan De Schepper started to play the piano at the age of four. He obtained his master diplom piano at the Royal Conservatoire in Antwerp and won prizes in several competitions, including Bach competition, Cantabile competition, Belfius Classics and Durlet competition. He also obtained the De Vries-Tolkowsky and the Annie Rutzky award. He has performed with La Chapelle de la Lorraine, I Solisti del Vento and the New Flemish Symphony Orchestra. He has given concerts in Europe, Mexico and the USA as well as recording for national and international radio and television. He accompanies the flute and piccolo classes at the Royal Conservatoire in Antwerp. As a piano accompanist he also works for the International Flute Seminar Bruges, the Academie voor Muziek en Woord in Hemiksem and the Kunsthumaniora in Brussels.