Lars Corijn
Lars Corijn (1996°) graduated as both a tenor, conductor and teacher in conducting from the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp, studying with Gary Jankowski (classical voice), Luc Anthonis (choral conducting) and Steven Verhaert (orchestral conducting). Already during his studies he worked regularly as a freelance singer with renowned houses like Opera Ballet Vlaanderen in Antwerp and Ghent, the Vlaams Radio Koor and La Monnaie De Munt in Brussels. As a soloist he sang roles in Die Zauberflöte, Albert Herring, Dido and Aeneas, Prisoner of the State and many others.
Despite the love for the stage as a singer, after his graduation Lars was convinced that this was the right time to start investing more in his development as a conductor. Already from early age on, Lars found the love for conducting and working with people. He has therefore been awarded the second prize in the International Conductor’s Contest at the WMC in Kerkrade (NL) for both his musical skills, his advanced conducting technique and pleasant personality towards musicians. Lars had masterclasses with Mark Heron, Clark Rundell, Josep Vila i Casañas and Vladimir Kiradjiev on both the choral and orchestral repertoire.
In 2022 he found with colleague Jappe Dendievel the Mahler Student Festival Orchestra focusing on big symphonic repertoire for music students from across Europe. Having performed twice Gustav Mahlers Second Symphony with nearly 200 performers on stage, this orchestra has put itself on the map. In the upcoming seasons they will perform Mahlers Ninth Symphony, Bruckners Ninth Symphony and Te Deum and Strauss’ Eine Alpensinfonie. The realization of these projects prove that without any financial support, young musicians can bring great quality to the professional podium.
Lars is delighted to have been appointed one of the new assistant conductors to chief Gergely Madaras at the Orchestre Philharmonique Royale de Liège from season 2023-2024 onwards. This will be a challenging but rewarding new step to build his career upon.
A short interview
What is the MSFO to you?
For me the MSFO is a safe space for the young professionals of tomorrow. To discover the greatest symphonic repertoire in such a friendly environment is a unique experience for both the musicians and the audiences. The MSFO Mahler 2 production in 2023 can be considered a turning point in both my personal and professional life. The friends I’ve made during that week, the repertoire I’ve discovered right afterwards, the jobs I’ve won because of the MSFO, … I strongly believe that when you experience the MSFO from within or from the outside, you’ll never be the same afterwards.
Can you delineate your role within the orchestra?
I’m the inspirer, the motivator, the believer, the funny one, the sad one, the one who’s able to enjoy the music the most and the least. During the preparation my hours of study are the hardest, during the rehearsals I’m pushing my mental and physical limits to the utmost, during the concerts, I give the musicians my complete trust and let the magic happen.
What do you cherish most from past MSFO concerts?
The pianissimo’s and banda from Mahler 2, the stillness from Mahler 9, the fire from Bruckner 9, the rollercoaster of a finale that is in Beethoven 9, the adagio from Mahler 3.
How would you describe music and music making?
It’s all about love.