Tore Tom Denys brings forgotten work by Adriaan Willaert back to life with a new album

The composer from Rumbeke was born at the end of 1400. His St John Passion has not been performed for 500 years. Denys thought it was high time to change that. He discovered that fellow townsman Willaert wrote a St. John Passion in Venice and that another copy was kept in a library in Bolgona. Denys had to translate the score note by note for musicians to read. A painstaking task, but the result is impressive.

Tore Tom Denys: “The great thing about the passion is that it is very understandable. If you listen, you understand the text very well. You can follow the passion story with the crucifixion very well. That is why we hope to arouse emotions with that music. It’s very beautiful music.”

Denys wants to draw attention to the forgotten work of his fellow townsman Willaert. According to Denys, Willaert is just as good as Bach or Beethoven, only much less well known. The record was recorded in the refectory of the STAM in Ghent and will also be on permanent display in the museum. Next year, Denys and his ensemble will tour with the record.