The Smarano Academy is honored to welcome Professor Bernard Foccroulle to its 2025 program.

An acclaimed organist, composer, and major cultural figure in Europe, Foccroulle has recorded more than forty CDs. Between 1982 and 1997, he recorded the complete organ works of Johann Sebastian Bach for the Ricercar label, using some of the most outstanding historic instruments in Europe. He later focused on the North German organ tradition. His 2007 recording of the complete organ works of Dietrich Buxtehude received both the Diapason d’Or and the Grand Prix de l’Académie Charles Cros. Alongside his musical career, he directed two of Europe’s most prestigious cultural institutions: Brussels’ Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie (1992–2007) and the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence (2007–2018). In 2017, he was awarded the Leadership Award at the International Opera Awards in London. From 2009 to 2019, he taught organ at the Conservatoire Royal de Musique in Brussels. His compositions are published by Henry Lemoine, Ricordi, and Doblinger.

At Smarano Academy 2025, Prof. Foccroulle will lead the seminar “Contemporary music for historical organs”, a course focused on exploring new expressive paths for historical instruments through engagement with contemporary music. The seminar will offer participants a unique opportunity to reflect, experiment, and reimagine the future of historic organs.

Through these prestigious collaborations, Smarano Academy reaffirms its commitment to the study and performance of early music while embracing innovative and forward-looking artistic visions.