Musique en Wallonie is a Francophone-Belgian classical music record label founded in 1971 dedicated to promoting awareness of Wallonia's musical heritage – both of Wallon composers and historical classical music recordings. The record label, based at the University of Liège, is a non-profit organization (French: association sans but lucratif (ASBL)), and receives support from the cultural section of the French Community of Belgium (an official constituent constitutional entity). In September 2012, on its 40th anniversary, the label was awarded officier du Mérite wallon. The label's president since 2001 has been Jean-Pierre Smyers, and the current administrator is Christophe Pirenne, a rock-drummer and music writer. For many years, the label has been issued through collaborating record companies – notably the contract with Cyprès but also with labels such as Koch-Schwann. Since 2004, the label has undertaken projects with its own brand, including reissues.
The historiques collection includes historical recordings by Walloon singers, such as sopranos Huberte Vecray (1923–2009) and Clara Clairbert, contralto Lucienne Delvaux (1916–2015), tenors René Maison, Marcel Claudel and Fernand Faniard, baritones Jean Noté, Ernest Tilkin Servais (1888–1961), Louis Richard, and Hector Dufranne, and bass Lucien Van Obbergh (1887–1959).
Aside from strictly "classical" music, the label has also undertaken projects related to the history of popular music, such as recordings by the salon ensemble the Tivoli Band under Éric Mathot, Magritte’s Blues, Bruxelles kermesse – Exposition universelle de 1910 and Café Liégeois, Musiques de salon (1910–1940).
References
- "Plus de cent cinquante productions distribuées dans une vingtaine de pays et une multitude de récompenses obtenues : tel est le bilan dont le label Musique en Wallonie peut se targuer après quarante ans d’activité, dignement fêtés l’année passée ; succès auquel est venue s’ajouter, au mois de septembre dernier, la distinction d’officier du Mérite wallon." Translation: "Last September, having already gained many awards over its 40 years of activity (with more than 150 productions across 20 countries), Musique en Wallonie was awarded the distinction of d’officier du Mérite wallon."
- Access: Quels publics pour la musique classique? Page 298 Pascale Seys, Festival de Wallonie – 2003 "Jean-Pierre Smyers, attaché culturel, Dexia Banque, Bruxelles. ... 2000 (1997–1998), il est également Président de la Commission Sponsoring de l'Union Belge des Annonceurs et depuis 2001, Président de Musique en Wallonie (disque)." Translation: "Jean-Pierre Smyers, Cultural Diplomat, Dexia Bank, Brussels. ... 2000 (1997-1998), he is also President of the Sponsoring Commission of the Belgian Union of Advertisers and since 2001, President of Musique en Wallonie."
- Emile Henceval Musique-musiques 1998: chronique de la vie musicale en Wallonie et ... – Page 93 1999 "Les Ramures de Cyprès – Sous l'aile de Cyprès se déploient donc les collections de Musique en Wallonie, partageant ses intérêts entre la musique ancienne, renaissante et baroque (dynamisée notamment par deux des principaux artisans de " Translation: "Les Ramures de Cyprès - under the wing of Cyprès, the collections of Musique en Wallonie are therefore deployed, dividing its interests between old, renaissance and baroque music (energised in particular by two of the main artisans of "
- Musique-musiques 2000: chronique de la vie musicale en Wallonie et ... – Page 237 Robert Wangermée – 2001 "«Musique en Wallonie» est spécialisé dans la redécouverte de compositeurs méconnus issus du patrimoine wallon. ... «Cyprès» (Enki Productions), qui édite de nombreux disques, bénéficie d'un contrat-programme depuis 2000 pour la ..." Translation: "«Musique en Wallonie» specialises in the rediscovery of little-known composers from Walloon heritage ... «Cyprès» (Enki Productions), which publishes numerous records, has benefited from a programme contract since 2000 for the "
- "Lucienne Delvaux (Mezzo-soprano) – Short Biography". www.bach-cantatas.com. Retrieved 17 October 2017.