The City of Antwerp has opened a register of condolence for Belgian pianist, composer and conductor François Glorieux, who died on Friday at the age of 91.
The death of the world-renowned virtuoso was reported on Saturday evening by the hln.be site, which cited the late artist’s son.
François Glorieux, born in Kortrijk in 1932, was one of Belgium’s greatest composers. A versatile musician, he was equally at home with classical music, jazz and pop.
Glorieux worked with conductors as well as renowned choreographers such as Béjart, Panov and Correlli.
His work has been widely recognised abroad, from Japan, where he once topped the local classical music charts for nine consecutive months, to the United States, where his fans included pop legend Michael Jackson.
Among the general public, he was best known for his ability to improvise and flirt with lighter musical genres.
François Glorieux demonstrated his musical talent from an early age with his first compositions. At the age of 17, he furthered his studies at Ghent Conservatory, notably with pianist Marcel Gazelle and composer George Lonque.
His musical career took him all over the world. He conducted the Stan Kenton Band in the USA, the Locke Brass Consort and BBC Radio Orchestra in the UK, and the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra.
He also founded various groups, including Instrumentarium, Panoramic Trio, Brass and Percussion Orchestra and Revivat Scaldis Chamber Orchestra.
He remained active throughout his life both as a composer and virtuoso pianist.
