Marnix De Cat (Counter-tenor)

Born: Belgium

The Belgian counter-tenor, conductor, organist and percussion player, Marnix De Cat, studied at Sint-Jan Berchmanscollege Brussel (1979-1985). He graduated from the Lemmens Institute in Leuven (Hogeschool voor Wetenschap & Kunst, 1985-1992), earning a First Prize in organ (under Reitze Smits), harmony and counterpoint. He also studied singing, percussion and fugue, and received a First Prize in choral conducting.

Marnix De Cat sings and plays music from 14^th to 21^st centuries, specilazing in Ars Nova, Renaissance, Baroque, Early Romantism and Contemporary. Since 1996 he has been one of the four permanent core members of the Capilla Flamenca (alto), participating in its worldwide tours. He is also a permanent member of the Gesualdo Consort Amsterdam (alto, since 2002). In addition, he regularly collaborates with the Huelgas Ensemble, Ricercar Consort, Collegium Vocale Gent (bass, 1994-1996); Currende ensemble (bass and then alto, 1988-2005); Il Fondamento (bass and alto, 1994-1997); Collegium Vocale Gent, Huelgasensemble, Weser Renaissance (alto, 1996-2008). Since 1996 he has regularly appeared at Festival van Vlaanderen Vlaams-Brabant. In addition he has been raising his visibility as a soloist as well as performing with conductors such as Gustav Leonhardt, Philippe Herreweghe, Jos van Veldhoven and Manfred Cordes. Several modern dance performances co-opted him as a singer for their tours, among others: Iets op Bach, Foi, and Bâche.

Marnix De Cat was replacing organist at St-Michielscathedral Brussels (1988-1993), and was organist for several years at the Church of St Geertrui in Leuven. He taught at Lemmensinstituut Leuven, Belgium (1990-1994) and at Hogeschool WENK, Campus Lemmensinstituut, Leuven, Belgium (1992-1996). He is also active as a composer and regularly collaborates on music projects for young people.

Marnix De Cat was a memberr of the BL!NDMAN saxophone quartet. Together with jazz saxophonist Hugo Boogaerts, he formed the duo OrgaX, a unique combination of organ and saxophones, with an accent on improvisation and a mix of styles (1996-2010). To cap it all, he is also active as a composer and as conductor of the Pluto Ensemble, founded by him in 2009.

Source: Flanders Music Centre Website; Capilla Flamenca Website, LinkedIn page
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (November 2011)

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Pieter Jan Belder

Alto

BWV 64, BWV 81, BWV 227

Links to other Sites

Manix De Cat - Belgium on LinkedIn
Marnix De Cat on Facebook

Marnix De Cat (Flanders Music Centre)
Marnix De Cat, alt (Capilla Flamenca)