Between the 1880s and the Second World War, Belgium became a key centre for the arts, particularly the symbolist movement, which flourished in the country’s literature and painting.

However, it was not just in the visual and literary arts that symbolism found its place, but in music as well. In this article, Pauline Lebbe delves into the songs composed by Belgian musicians that were set to the works of Belgian symbolist authors.

Lebbe examines the rich, collaborative environment that brought together musicians, artists, critics, theorists, and concert organisers, highlighting the strong connections between these groups that often resulted in highly original musical compositions. While symbolist music is less well-known than its literary and visual counterparts, the songs from this period reveal a surprising level of sophistication and creativity.

For a deeper understanding of this under-explored aspect of Belgian artistic history, you can read the full article here.

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