Einstein On The Beach

In November 2025, Brussels-based label VLEK will release a new recording of Einstein on the Beach (Philip Glass, 1976). Captured at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, this version brings together the Ictus ensemble, the Ghent-based Collegium Vocale Gent, and Suzanne Vega, iconic figure of the New York folk revival. In 2018, Ictus and Collegium Vocale Gent, with the support of visual artist Germaine Kruip, took on a bold challenge: to deliver a purely musical interpretation of Einstein on the Beach, now widely regarded as the manifesto of minimalist music. Suzanne Vega later joined the project, taking on all spoken roles. Carried by the physical commitment of the performers, this version retains the hypnotic power of the original score while opening new sonic perspectives. After touring successfully across Europe, the work was recorded in November 2022 at the prestigious Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg.Founded in Brussels in 2011, VLEK first made its mark with experimental electronic music. In 2025, the label celebrates its 15th anniversary by launching a new editorial line focused on contemporary creative music. The CD and vinyl release of Einstein on the Beach illustrates this ambition: to let singular works resonate across borders and genres, reach curious and diverse audiences, and place today’s music within a lineage that is both heritage-based and ever evolving.