Carlos Simon: Composer-in-Residence 2026–27
Composer-in-Residence at the OPRL this season, the American artist will be at the heart of four projects showcasing his distinctive musical language, shaped by gospel, Pentecostal church music, jazz, the aesthetics of Neo-Romanticism and the rhythmic pulse of popular music. A perfect synthesis of tradition and modernity.
Raised in Atlanta in a long lineage of preachers and steeped in the heritage of gospel music, Carlos Simon demonstrates how a carefully crafted musical work can indeed take on the power of a sermon. His output ranges from concert music for ensembles of all sizes to film scores, drawing on influences from jazz, gospel and Neo-Romanticism.
Powerful and narrative-driven works
Larlos Simon’s work stands out for its ability to translate complex historical narratives into powerful musical emotions. Among the most notable works of his career are:
• Requiem for the Enslaved
A Grammy-nominated work commemorating the 272 enslaved people — men, women and children — sold by Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., in 1838. The work brings together chamber orchestra, rap and gospel.
• Fate Now Conquers
Inspired by Beethoven’s journal, this dynamic orchestral work enters into dialogue with the masters of the past while asserting a strikingly contemporary voice.
• Portrait of a Queen
A sweeping musical portrait tracing the journey of the Black woman from Africa to contemporary America.
International recognition
Appointed Composer-in-Residence at Washington’s prestigious Kennedy Center and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Carlos Simon’s music is regularly performed by leading ensembles, including the Philadelphia, Boston and New York orchestras. By combining classical rigour with popular fervour, he demonstrates that symphonic music is a living art form, capable of reflecting the struggles and hopes of our time.
Four projects in Liège
His residency in Liège will notably feature his work as curator of “Coltrane 100: Legacy”, a project celebrating jazz legend John Coltrane, for which he will also create several arrangements (25 September). The residency will also include the European premiere of a Double Concerto for Violin and Cello, written for Hilary Hahn and Seth Parker Woods (8 & 9 October), as well as chamber music works presented as part of two concerts in the “Music at Midday” series (20 October & 1 December).
Discover all the details in the “Related concerts” section below.
Related concert
OPRL+JAZZ : COLTRANE 100 : LEGACY
In Liège, the OPRL pays tribute to John Coltrane with Joe Lovano and symphonic arrangements, revisiting his major works from the 1950s and 1960s.
Rachmaninoff, Symphony No. 2
When Rachmaninoff’s intense lyricism meets Carlos Simon’s double concerto, co-commissioned by the Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège with Hilary Hahn and Seth Parker Woods.
Rachmaninoff, Symphony No. 2
When Rachmaninoff’s intense lyricism meets Carlos Simon’s double concerto, co-commissioned by the Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège with Hilary Hahn and Seth Parker Woods.
Strings in the Spotlight
Five musicians from the OPRL explore the world of strings, from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johannes Brahms to Carlos Simon, between classical radiance and echoes of lockdown.
Quartet in chiaroscuro
From Beethoven’s dark String Quartet No. 11 to Debussy’s luminous one, the Andriesii Quartet journeys across eras, culminating in Carlos Simon’s powerful evocation of exile.