In Memoriam Frederik Caelen
26/01/1974 - 22/06/2016
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Frederik Caelen was born in Genk, Belgium, in 1974. He followed his education accordion, with Ludo Marien as a teacher, at the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp, where he got the master degree classical accordion. He became a Laureate in piano at the Urban Conservatory of Hasselt. After his studies he started to give accordion lessons at the Academies of Tienen and Waregem, both in Belgium.
But Frederik was much more than that: he was a first class performer. Together with Micheline Van Hautem he formed the group "Mich En Scène", "Mich on stage", where Mich was the abbreviation for the name of the songstress Micheline. While bringing the songs of Jacques Brel, he gave the best of himself, and with these performances the duo got international prices (Herald Angel 2003, Spirit of the Fridge 2003) and they did reach Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain and the USA, where they got the best comments:
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Xaviera Hollander in her theatre-archive writes about these American shows:
The incredible talented Mohican-headed accordionist/pianist , Frederik Caelen, is more partner than accompanist, deepening the tantalizing moods. He seems able to anticipate her every change of direction and inflection.
About the same shows in England, Robert Dawson Scott wrote in "The London Times":
‘And Frederik Caelen, worth the price of admission on his own.’
http://www.xavierahollander.com/theatre-archive/80-fun-with-pete
In "The Sydney Morning Herald" (Australia) we read this :
Van Hautem's accordionist and pianist, Frederik Caelen, was, if anything, even more remarkable. Dream accompanist and startling improviser, Caelen would stand out in any musical company, and the pair's return visit next year is eagerly awaited.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Music/Red-hot-and-cool/2004/12/29/1103996598156.html
The incredible talented Mohican-headed accordionist/pianist , Frederik Caelen, is more partner than accompanist, deepening the tantalizing moods. He seems able to anticipate her every change of direction and inflection.
About the same shows in England, Robert Dawson Scott wrote in "The London Times":
‘And Frederik Caelen, worth the price of admission on his own.’
http://www.xavierahollander.com/theatre-archive/80-fun-with-pete
In "The Sydney Morning Herald" (Australia) we read this :
Van Hautem's accordionist and pianist, Frederik Caelen, was, if anything, even more remarkable. Dream accompanist and startling improviser, Caelen would stand out in any musical company, and the pair's return visit next year is eagerly awaited.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Music/Red-hot-and-cool/2004/12/29/1103996598156.html
But "Mich en Scene" was not the only group in which Frederik Caelen was engaged. For several years he was also the accordionist in the Gypsy group "Zigeunertrio Kalinka" (The Gypsy Trio Kalinka)
The first CD "Jalousie", ed. 2002, was recorded with the musicians:
After Frederik left the group, the name of this band was changed to "Zigeunerensemble Kalinka" (The Gypsy Ensemble Kalinka)
https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zigeunerensemble_Kalinka
The first CD "Jalousie", ed. 2002, was recorded with the musicians:
- Zsolt Kallai (†): violin
- Frederik Caelen (†): accordion
- Herman De Rycke: contrabass, singing voice
- Tcha Limberger: guitar
- Sándor Ürmös: сymbals
After Frederik left the group, the name of this band was changed to "Zigeunerensemble Kalinka" (The Gypsy Ensemble Kalinka)
https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zigeunerensemble_Kalinka
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Frederik Caelen had been working as a musician for Het Paleis, les Ballets C de la B, Anaymous Society and different operas, and as he broke up with "Mich en Scène", he joined Ron De Rauw in a for him completely new project: Jummoo. As a duo they gave sparkling shows, with which they did reach the big public. Frederik, the unconventional accordionist, the extravagant pianist and deep-throat singer, who said about himself "Zennnn is my middle name", had to defend himself against the hyperactive Ron, who played the guitar, and who achieved unknown dimensions with his vocal chords. This resulted in shows filled with visual humor, musical acting and a confrontation of different styles of music, from classic to jazz, funk, rap, pop and rock, sometimes in a duel and sometimes in an incredible harmony. For their performances they got standing ovations from the public.
http://backline-boeking.be/-CC-2011-12/pdf/CC 02_Jummoo_Backline.pdf |
Frederik Caelen demonstrating an acting with the boots
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Frederik Caelen during a performance of the show "Aeiouy" with the duo-group Jummoo
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In these three clips: Frederik Caelen at the piano, or playing accordion
But besides the artist and the performer, there was also the human Frederik. The teacher who always said that he needed no children of his own, because he had too many children in his classes, which he considered to be his. He was the man who was proud on the results of his students, who sat nearby them, in order to support them with their exams. He was also the person who jumped into the gap on every occasion where he felt that his students did need him.
Frederik Caelen at the end of the performance by his students
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Frederik Caelen playing a benefit concert with one of his students
Frederik Caelen supporting one of his students at the exam
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People who knew Mr. Caelen are welcome to send their additions: pictures, stories, ... We will be glad to add them to this page.
For contact, click here.
For contact, click here.
Reactions:
Just wanted to say that I had the privilege of seeing Frederik perform at the Edinburgh Fest and subsequently became a bit of a groupie to Mich en Scene, travelling over to Holland to see them again. Frederik’s performance on the Accordion, his accompaniment of Micheline also, will remain with me for ever. When I discovered about his passing via the internet (how? why?) I was devastated even though I’d never met him. Life is indeed cruel when such talent is cut short in it’s prime!
If anyone can tell me more about the circumstances of Frederik’s passing I’d like to know.
Sincerely,
Robert Huguenin
Thanks to: [email protected]
If anyone can tell me more about the circumstances of Frederik’s passing I’d like to know.
Sincerely,
Robert Huguenin
Thanks to: [email protected]
Thank you very much for your reaction, Robert!
