Lodewijk Mortelmans

The Flemish composer and conductor Lodewijk Mortelmans is sometimes called “the Flemish Brahms” and the “Prince of the Flemish Art Song”. His intimate, discerning piano music and poetic orchestral works and art songs are amongst the masterpieces of European music from the late 19th to early 20th century. During his lifetime he was chiefly known for his songs, which were often set on poems by Guido Gezelle.
In 1903 Mortelmans founded the Maatschappij der Nieuwe Concerten in Antwerp with the support of patron François Franck. This was a leading European orchestra, led by Mortelmans and famous guest conductors such as Gustav Mahler, Hans Richter and Richard Strauss. World famous soloists like Fritz Kreisler, Pablo de Sarasate and Jacques Thibaud also performed with the orchestra. Mortelmans was also one of the founders of the Eugène Ysaÿe Violin Competition, currently known as the Queen Elisabeth Music Competition.