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The Flemish harpsichordist, pianist and conductor, Jos van Immerseel [Jos Van Immerseel], studied organ, piano and harpsichord with Flor Peeters, Eugène Traey and harpsichordist and musicologist Kenneth Gilbert at the Royal Conservatory in Antwerp, where he won first prizes in piano, organ, and harpsichord between 1961 and 1971. During that period, he also won a number of competitions, culminating with the winning first prize at the inaugural Paris Forum International de Clavecin in 1973.
Already during vhis studies, Jos van Immerseel founded the Collegium Musicum in Antwerp, conducting that ensemble and the Collegium Vocale to develop his interest in Renaissance and Baroque music, later expanding his activities to include the Classical and early Romantic eras. In 1985 (or 1987), he founded the orchestra Anima Eterna Bruge, also a period instrument group, which he has conducted from the keyboard. During 1999 they toured Europe with performances of L.v. Beethoven symphonies.
Jos Van Immerseel has gone on to establish a rare international career as a fortepianist and conductor specializing in music of the Baroque and Classical eras. A versatile musician who is accomplished on the organ and piano as well as harpsichord and fortepiano, he has in particular gained a reputation for his performances of Mozart, L.v. Beethoven and Schubert. He is now in demand as a fortepianist in concert halls across Europe, where he is known for his refined sensitivity to the rhetorical aspects of music and for his skills in improvisation. He performs on his own instruments, travelling with his fortepiano when necessary. Much of his performing is focused on music of the Classical and early Romantic eras, although he has also recorded songs of Gabriel Fauré with Max van Egmond, and of Debussy with Sandrine Piau, and the music of César Franck. Vera Beths and Anner Bylsma regularly perform and record with him, as well, most notably in Schubert's chamber works.
In addition to his performing and recording, Jos van Immerseel keeps busy with writing articles and reviews, producing radio programs, and teaching. He is Professor at the Antwerp Conservatory, where he uses historical instruments from the nearby Vleeshuis Museum to give master-classes. He has also taught at the Sweelinck Conservatorium in Amsterdam and the Conservatoire National Supérieur in Paris (since 1992), as well as given masterclasses at festivals in La Roque d’Anthéron, Utrecht, Sopron and Ancona.
Jos van Immerseel records for Channel Classics and Sony, among other labels. He appears on the Vivarte label as a solo performer, as a soloist with Tafelmusik and as a participant in chamber music. He has in particular gained a reputation for his performances of Mozart, L.v. Beethoven and Schubert on Sony Classical. Most recently he has appeared on the Vivarte label with Anner Bylsma in performances of L.v. Beethoven's complete cello sonatas and with L'Archibudelli in performances of Schubert’s Trout Quintet and Arpeggione Sonata. Also issued under the Vivarte label, his recent cycle of L.v. Beethoven Piano concertos with Tafelmusik and Bruno Weil (3 CD’s) elicited praise for his stylistic sensitivity and his musical sensibility. These recordings were noted for the cadenzas, which he wrote in keeping with the capabilities of the period instrument. His recording of Mozart’s late piano works, “Mozart: The Vienna Years”, prompted Classic CD to write that Van Immerseel is “among the most winning and authoritative champions of the fortepiano.” One of his finest achievements is his recording of the fortepiano version of Haydn's The Seven Last Words of Christ. |
