RCO Meets Europe
Between 2016 and 2018, the Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest visited all 28 member states of the European Union in the course of two and a half seasons as part of the RCO meets Europe concert tour. In repertoire, in spirit and in practice RCO meets Europe serves to highlight the fundamental ideas and ideals that can hold Europe together. UNESCO has granted patronage. Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, has also expressed his willingness to act as patron of RCO meets Europe.
Polyphony
Europe is a unique mosaic of cultures, both ancient and modern. It is where, in the course of 1200 years, polyphony was developed: the interplay of several different voices, cornerstone of a multitude of music styles. The symphony orchestra and the masterpieces written for it are among its greatest cultural achievements.
Managing director Jan Raes: "If history and crises have sometimes fractured Europe's self-image, our common culture and heritage can provide a counterweight.Music can help people to share thoughts, ideas and feelings; the concert as an experience brings and binds people together.
Orchestral music in particular symbolises the idea of 'equality through diversity' – the true sense of polyphony.
In the face of political and economic challenges, now more than ever, we need to celebrate this uniquely European invention, which allows us to express a single idea through many voices so that we can discover the endless possibilities open to us to continue our journey into the future."
Side by Side
This European idea should also be transferred to younger generations. It is their heritage, too. During RCO meets Europe, in each country the Concertgebouworkest performed one opening work Side by Side with members of a local youth orchestra. In addition, members of the orchestra gave masterclasses and lessons in several countries.
This enables the orchestra to share its knowledge and experience with younger musicians, and to engage in lasting collaborations with youth orchestras across Europe.
Side by Side - Dublin
Side by Side - Amsterdam
Side by Side - Bratislava
Side by Side - London
Side by Side - Bucharest
Side by Side - Lisbon
RCO meets Europe essay contest
Essays by five European writers
From 2016 to 2018, the Concertgebouworkest is visiting all the member states of the European Union. As part of this special initiative, the Concertgebouworkest has asked five European writers about the meaning of music in their lives, each of whom has now written an essay based on the theme of RCO meets Europe. The writers are An De Bisschop, Amparo Serrano de Haro, Dave Sinardet, Erna Hennicot-Schoepges and Lasha Bugadze.
Young writers in Europe aged 18 to 30
The essays are meant to be a source of inspiration for young, talented European writers. The Concertgebouworkest invited young people in Europe aged 18 to 30 to submit their own essays while the Concertgebouworkest meets Europe initiative is under way. Essays that are focusing on the role that music (classical or another genre) plays in the essayist’s own life. Those having penned the best essays will be invited to spend an all-inclusive cultural weekend for two in Amsterdam. The best essays will also be published following RCO meets Europe.
Winning authors
The Concertgebouworkest congratulates the winners of the RCO meets Europe essay contest.
In 2016 we invited talented young European writers (age 18 to 30) to pen down an essay focusing on the role that music (classical or another genre) plays in the essayist’s own life, while the RCO meets Europe initiative is under way. Hereby we present the ten winners of the essay contest. The authors of these essays have won an all-inclusive cultural weekend in Amsterdam in February 2019, including a visit to a concert of the Concertgebouw Orchestra. Their contributions will also be published in a book called RCO meets Europe, to be published in February 2019.