Since its creation in 2017, the Trio BECEL has been blazing an original and generous trail in the Belgian musical landscape: a space where sound, speech and humour engage in lively dialogue. Hailing from Hungary, France and Wallonia, the three musicians found a common anchor in Belgium, where they developedtwosharedvocations:teaching and chamber music.
It was around Debussy’s superb Sonata for flute, viola and harp (1915) that their paths first crossed. This masterpiece, with its enduring modernity, inspired composers, captivated by the unique soundscape, to compose for this set of instruments. At the dawn of the 21st cen- tury, this type of ensemble is enjoying a resurgence of interest and its contem- porary repertoire is being enriched with rare finesse.
While committed to promoting this original body of work, the Trio BECEL also enjoys exploring its margins and contours: adapting works of all genres and periods to unveil a more intimate dimension. The trio cultivates the art of transcription and journeys freely from the Baroque to the contemporary In Hungarian, beszél (homophone of BECEL) means ‘to speak’. The trio’s vocation is to speak through music and to make music speak. Keen to make music accessible without simplifying it, the musicians design lively programmes, combining humour, reflection and dialogue. Together, they have devised themed concerts — on time, on sci- ence, on love — where music, words, philosophy and audiovisual effects are intertwined in original productions. Without being overly didactic or pre- tentious, their approach remains serious without taking themselves too seriously: the concert becomes a celebration. In this way, they embrace a personal, joyful and collaborative approach to chamber music In 2023, the Trio BECEL was awarded the Octave de la Musique prize, recognising the vitality and originality of their endeavours, particularly for young audiences.