Kerselare by Katrien Gaelens

'Meeting someone new means renouncing oneself’ (Juliaan Lampens)

The grounds of the Chapel of Our Lady of Kerselare has been a pilgrimage site since the 15th century.

Juliaan Lampens’ design for the chapel rebuilt in the mid-1960’s (after a fire destroyed the previous structure) brings together the inside and outside.  Glass and concrete are brought together as equal elements in a stunning way. An enormous glass wall offers a view from the outside, which lies underneath the upper end of the long sloping roof of the structure which also provides shelter for those looking in. From the inside, the extreme perspective in return creates an acoustic projection and a visual focus.

Prior to the recording, I had met Katrien Gaelens to discuss several ideas to record at the Belgian seaside, where she was born and still returns for inspiration. During that trip, I had carried the book that Jan Kempenaers and Bart Lodewijks made about the chapel of Kerselare which Katrien was familiar with. Upon seeing the book, Katrien brought up the idea of recording Salvatore Sciarrino’s "L'Opera per Flauto"  inside the Chapel. I never set any demands about what should be performed when a musician records for HUIS and so I insisted we should proceed with her idea. 

Katrien's performance of Sciarrino’s piece as well as her improvisations are virtuoso but direct, matching her vision of clarity and complexity. 
The interplay between breath and air have been consistent elements of Gaelens' work, which she uses to full effect here in a captivating and spectacular performance for HUIS.

~ Soli and Architecture ~
recordings of solo musicians made by Christophe Albertijn.
All proceeds go to the respective musicians.
http://www.huisklank.com/