'Masques' is a word that has evoked new sentiments in the past three years. Every day, instead of seeing a wide range of faces and expressions, we became used to seeing many similar, or sometimes slightly different masks. We also experienced the otherworldly feeling of seeing someone without a mask for the first time. Usually that person would look completely different from what we had imagined, and behind the mask expressions would be hidden from the outside world. For the past three years, every time we went outside, we had the opportunity to mask ourselves. As if the world was staging one big masked ball. After all, we only saw our close circle of friends and family without a mask. Everyone outside of this circle we never really knew, was kept within a shroud of mystery. The programme of this CD explore the mystery of masks. Sometimes masks are used as disguises or distractions for devious intentions, other times for entertainment and society events. The stage is set at a masquerade ball, where a range of characters present themselves, without us ever really being able to truly see who they are, what's on their minds, what they are up to. Wouter Valvekens is a Belgian concert pianist. He has been invited to perform in Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Portugal, France and the UK, in solo recitals and as soloist with orchestras such as the Euregio Youth Orchestra, the St. John's Chamber Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra of Mechelen. In June 2020, he made his recital debut at deSingel Antwerp's Blauwe Zaal. In December 2020, he made his recital debut on period instruments in BOZAR Brussels' Henri Le Boeuf Hall, where he performed again in 2021, on a modern instrument. Wouter was part of Klara Radio's Twintigers, following this initiative a solo recital from the Toots Studio was broadcast on national radio. In September 2021 he curated a three-day music festival, Young Fazioli Fest, at Quatre Mains Mechelen. Aside from his solo career, Wouter Valvekens is a very active chamber musician. In 2018, he founded the Trio Aries with violinist Alice Van Leuven and cellist Paul Heyman. The trio won the Supernova Chamber Music Competition in 2020 and recorded its debut CD 'Awakening' in 2021, with the Etcetera Records label. This CD was awarded five stars in DeStandaard and warmly received by Klara and France Musique, among others. Wouter Valvekens made his debut with the ensemble at BOZAR Brussels' Henri Le Boeuf Hall, which was praised by critics. He is also a founding member of the Werther Piano Quartet, which is supported by the Mozart Gesellschaft Dortmund. The ensemble's debut at the Konzerthaus Dortmund in 2018 was critically acclaimed.
