8th July 2009

I really find it hard to believe but it is true. I wish to thank you for allowing me to gain the valuable experience at the BPO which helped me to go on and win this competition. I shall always support the orchestra in the future and would be happy to help out just as I have done these last few years.

Anthony Devriendt
Former solo horn at the BPO – Currently solo horn in the Belgian National Orchestra

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30th September 2009

I send my warmest greetings to all who are gathered for the 8th Annual Daniel Pearl World Music Days.
Music has been called a universal language that transcends cultures and borders.
Its power to move us, touch our hearts, and speak to our souls enriches our lives. Through artistic creativity and expression, music can build bridges between individuals and communities thousands of miles apart.
This month-long event to celebrate music and honor the legacy of Daniel Pearl is a fitting tribute to a man who promoted respect and dialogue throughout the world. On this occasion, we recommit ourselves to tolerance, compassion, and 'Harmony for Humanity'.
I wish you all the best for an enjoyable event.

Barack Obama
President of the United States of America

30th October 2009

To all my friends whom I had the pleasure to play with this evening, you are fantastic. There is a particular buzz because you have an energy that is so young and full of life that I was really able to tune into. You form an excellent orchestra that is made up of great musicians. Particular thanks go to Martine, Fabriccio, Géraldine, André and Jean, and finally the best conductor I have played with in a long time, Roger Bausier! You are all wonderful!

Meral Güneyman
International soloist (USA) – piano – Concert at Saint Michel Theatre on 30th October 2009
Concerto in F by George Gershwin and Manhattan by François Glorieux

31st October 2009

Thank you for a very enjoyable evening! I observed the first two rehearsals and was impressed by the professionalism of the orchestra. The progress made between rehearsal and concert was immense. Very impressive. Thank you and have a great weekend.

Maurice Dommicent
Police superintendant at Malines

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1st November 2009

Jane and I very much enjoyed ourselves on Friday evening and really liked the concert.

Jane and Emily
Embassy of the United States

3rd November 2009

Thank you to everyone responsible for the lovely musical soirée last Friday...

3rd November 2009

I spent a very pleasant evening thanks to you! A beautiful orchestra and talented pianist! Best wishes,

Véronique Misonne
Recovery Room, UCL

3rd November 2009

Thank you once again for the happiness you have brought me. My mother of 81 years who studied at the conservatoire very much enjoyed the musicians’ performance and I discovered the musical magic with my eyes. Furthermore it is very nice to meet members of staff that one normally passes in the corridors without really knowing them outside of the Clinics. Have a nice day.

Anne Guillaume

3rd November 2009

A wonderful evening during which I listened to a grand orchestra; grand in every sense of the word! Brilliant, expressive and moving. To sum it up, an unforgettable experience. Thank you once again.

Jacqueline Vandorpe
Political science

3rd November 2009

I am still euphoric over the concert in Belgium. I cannot wait to play with you again in the future. Your team of staff were great. I appreciated many different aspects of the orchestra, both personally and professionally. Thank you once again, let’s stay in touch!

Meral Güneyman
International soloist (USA) – piano –Concert at Saint Michel Theatre on 30th October 2009
Concerto in F by George Gershwin and Manhattan by François Glorieux

3rd November 2009

Dear Jean – It was so nice to meet you last Friday. The orchestra and pianist put on an outstanding performance! I very much enjoyed the evening and I was happy to help to distribute leaflets. I wish to thank you and will certainly keep an eye on the calendar of the Brussels Philharmonic in the future!

J Machell
Member of the audience

8th November 2009

My dear Roger,
I wish to thank you once again for having chosen my work "Manhattan" for your programme and I wish to congratulate you for both the painstaking preparation as well as for the brilliant performance. As always, I have nothing but praise for your professionalism and immense musical talent, BRAVO! Best wishes,

François GLORIEUX.
Pianist, Conductor, composer of “Manhattan”

8th November 2009

I was really very impressed by the outstanding and enthusiastic interpretation of my work "Manhattan" as well as by the friendly musicians of the "Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra" conducted by the meticulous and conscientious conductor, Roger Bausier. My warmest congratulations to everyone!

François GLORIEUX.
Pianist, Conductor, composer of “Manhattan”

24th November 2009

B. De Smedt-Wantiez
Members of the audience

15th Decembrer 2009

2009 is coming to an end and we are proud to be able to share with you the progress made by the Daniel Pearl Foundation and wish to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest and support. A safer world is our aim - journalism, music and dialogue are our tools – and Daniel’s heritage is our motivation. Best regards and warmest wishes for a joyful festive season.

The Pearl family

4th February 2010

At a logistical and organisational level your orchestra is extremely efficient; there are many people always willing to help out and always with a smile on their face and you have the benefit of a captive audience. Musically speaking the programme was rich and varied, the orchestra played very well and was well-conducted. We very much enjoyed the Vilardi, a real discovery ...
In any case we wish to thank you for the kind invitation to attend and wish to say bravo for your dedication to marketing; the BPO is very lucky to count on your support!

Alexis de Baets
President of the Brussels Choral Society

5th February 2010

Very satisfied by the orchestra’s performance of the Beethoven - the enthusiasm, commitment and conviction.

Jacques Van Holen
Musical critic

24th March 2010

Dear Roger,
Thank you very much for having invited me. I am astonished by the work that you do. BRAVO! It was a real pleasure for me to attend! We will meet again I believe.....thank you.

Alexandre Omeliemko
Double bass player

2nd April 2010

As I said yesterday evening, I congratulate you on the performance of the orchestra, the conductor and the soloists on the 1st April. The silence in the room during the music and the long applause after speak volumes about the whole-hearted satisfaction of the audience.

André Gheeraert
BPO Accountant

3nd April 2010

DOUBLE WELL DONE!!!!! For a concert that was greatly appreciated by everyone – friends and members of the audience alike – who were thrilled to have come to the concert to listen to and discover the BPO and the excellent  comprehensive report of this Saturday.

Anne Expeels
Member of the Audience

3rd April 2010

My niece Francine Messinne and myself were enthralled by this concert. We had not experienced the virtuosity of the orchestra before but others were clearly aware of the musical quality of this ensemble. This Thursday I met with Flemish colleagues from INASTI who regularly attend performances of the BPO. It was a real pleasure to discover the music for ourselves. My niece very much enjoyed the two first pieces whereas I preferred the more classical works. So there you have our first impressions… See you soon

Claudine
Member of the audience

3rd April 2010

The first two opening pieces were very refreshing and provided an excellent entrée to the evening. We particularly liked the “film music” by F. Devreese. Furthermore, to enable young artists – members of the orchestra or otherwise – to get to know one another is a particularly good initiative. “Do you like Brahms?” Yes and no. We found this piece hesitant as if it was trying to find itself. The contrast with the vivacity of the opening works was quite pronounced. We were delighted that the 5th symphony by Tchaïkovsky was on the programme. This work is often unfairly labelled as “overly sentimental”. But the BPO’s rendition was nothing of the sort. Mind you, the extremely slow tempo did surprise us somewhat, as if the orchestra was scared to let itself go. However, the interpretation of the score was very analytical and enabled the audience to “see” the music coming together. Thanks to the “encore”, the orchestra freed itself again from a formal inhibited style and enveloped us in the Cinderella fantasy. All in all a very enjoyable evening which gave us a taste for more concerts, after having stopped attending them for many years. Thank you to the orchestra and to the friendly organiser!

Claire & Jean-Jacques DE GHEYNDT-DEBEVER
Members of the Audience