Soundtrack Rubens garden

Walking through the Rubens garden gives you a good idea of how Rubens and his entourage went about their daily lives here. For a more immersive experience, consider listening to the garden’s new symbolic soundtrack as you explore it. Antwerp pianist and composer Hantrax and Leuven-based violinist Theo Carpentier drew on the past for inspiration, creating a soundtrack you can dream away to.

Bring your headphones or earbuds with you so you can listen to the soundtrack as you walk through the garden.

©Jeroen Broeckx

Listen on SoundCloud

Historical soundtrack

When the Rubenshuis launched an open call to reimagine 16th and 17th-century music together with Antwerp composer Hantrax, Leuven-based violinist Theo Carpentier was selected as the winner. A young classically-trained violinist and an electronic composer and performer: the perfect combo to create a stunning soundtrack for the Rubens garden. The two musicians spent a week in the Rubenshuis to capture the right ambience for their composition. The result is a blend of historical layers, including fragments from the Song for Dorothy (Dorothealied).

Sound familiar? Let’s travel back in time to find the link between Dorothea and Rubens:

In those days, a group of passionate tulip collectors and speculators would gather in St George’s Church, which is just a short walk from Rubens’s home and garden, to pray to God that their tulips might grow. They were also frequent guests of the nearby inn, called De Zwaan or The Swan. An altar and brotherhood dedicated to the patron saint of florists and gardeners were even founded in St George’s church at their behest. As you may have guessed, her name was Dorothea or Dorothy. A musical play was dedicated to the saint in 1641, presumably to commemorate the founding of the brotherhood. In the song for Dorothy, ‘Tulpans aller deughden’ are the ‘oorspronck aller vreughden’ (tulips of all virtues are the origin of all joy).

Innovative vision

This story from Rubens’s time is not the only reference to the past in this soundtrack, however. During their residency, Hantrax and Theo Carpentier created a composition that draws on the style of the pavane, a traditional dance that was typically danced in procession at the opening of ceremonial balls. This was often followed by the vigorous galliard for a livelier continuation of the celebration. The perfect soundtrack for the Rubens garden.

Interestingly, the composers chose the sonata form, which only originated in the 18th century, as the musical structure for this composition. A choice that attests to their innovative vision, in addition to establishing a symbolic link with the revolutionary character of the Renaissance and our own era of change. The composition also references the Ruckers family from Antwerp, who invented the double-manual harpsichord, and John Bull, the renowned English virginalist who was employed as organist of Antwerp’s cathedral.

©Jeroen Broeckx

Present meets past in your ears

The composition was written for piano, violin, shawm, harpsichord, and electronic hardware and software instruments, blending historical sounds with contemporary textures. The instrumentation reflects the musical depth of the Renaissance and the composers’ innovative mindset. By letting the melodies evolve independently of each other, Hantrax and Carpentier create sounds that refer to the past, modern dance music, and sound art.

The garden as a source of inspiration

The garden theme emerges regularly in the composition, with references to flowers, the garden, and spring, which were also popular themes in 16th- and 17th-century compositions. This natural imagery sets the mood for a light-footed, flowy and hopeful composition.

Like Rubens, Antwerp composer and pianist Hantrax enjoys working at the intersection of the arts. The mix of genres, the courage to break free from tradition, and the unique setting combine to create a truly Rubentian experience. Ready to dream away?

Have you listened to our podcast yet?

AudioCollectief Schik takes you on a journey of discovery through Rubens' garden.