At the age of 37, Simon Diricq has achieved all the goals he set for himself. He has become an icon in the contemporary saxophone world, highly sought after internationally. Therefore, we took the opportunity to interview him and get to know him a bit better.
Clear Ideas from a Young Age
This young Belgian comes from a musical family that enrolled him in music initiation classes at the conservatory of his hometown, Tournai, at the age of 5. “I was very quiet and discreet; the music teacher didn’t notice me for months!” says Simon, amused. “Until one day, a saxophonist was invited to teach us the instrument and played a few notes. That’s when it happened: I immediately asked my parents to start learning.”
His first saxophone teacher, at the Conservatory of Tournai, was Marc Host, who exceptionally accepted him before the age of 7 because the child’s hands were already large enough. “Years later, Marc told me that at the end of my first class, I was able to play the C major scale in two octaves,” he claims.
Gradually, the saxophone became a key element in Simon’s life. At the age of 12, when asked about his dream, he replied, “To win the first prize at the Paris Conservatory.” Quite a statement for a 12-year-old.
How could a 12-year-old be so clear about something like that? He tells us the story: “Marc’s colleagues in his quartet had studied in Paris, and I, who always went to listen to them, admired them and wanted to play like them. Therefore, I concluded that I should study where they studied.”
The First Belgian at the Paris Conservatory after Adolphe Sax
After preparing for the entrance exams for Paris for two years in Mons with Michel Mergny and one more year in Versailles with Vincent David, Simon Diricq officially became the first Belgian saxophonist accepted at the Paris Conservatory in 2005. This was a historical milestone in two ways, as the saxophone class at this prestigious institution was created by the also Belgian Adolphe Sax, the father of our instrument, almost 150 years earlier (in 1857).
“The students in Paris impressed me a lot,” admits Simon. “I went to the conservatory before my classes, and I also stayed after to listen to my classmates’ classes, and the feeling was like attending a concert. Impressive.”
Certainly, the working environment at the Paris Conservatory—where Simon founded the now famous Ensemble Squillante in 2006 with eight fellow students—was influenced by two giants, Claude Delangle and Christophe Bois. “You learn a lot from teachers like them. They encourage you to think beyond, to make decisions based on why, to discover new repertoires and disciplines,” says Diricq. “I experienced wonderful moments there that undoubtedly guided me for the future.”
Triumph in Dinant
And there is no doubt that the future would bring more memorable milestones to our young saxophonist. In 2010, the year he achieved his dream of graduating from the Paris Conservatory with the first prize, he also entered the world’s most prestigious saxophone competition, the one in Dinant, and won it as well.
“The timing was perfect because I had just finished my studies at the conservatory just before summer, and I used the momentum to continue preparing for the competition, which took place in November of the same year,” says Simon, who continues to reveal some details of that moment in his career. “I knew that the Dinant Competition was perhaps the most followed event in the world and the most important performance of my life, but I was also aware that it would be my last opportunity to participate (due to age), so I tried to enjoy every moment with joy and at the same time with nostalgia. All of this helped me to enjoy it as something unique.”
During the summer and fall of 2010, Diricq prepared for Dinant, both alone and with Flavien Casaccio, his pianist and teammate. “Maybe I made mistakes, but I came out with the feeling of having built things my way, and I think that was decisive,” he humbly admits, after which he adds, “The feeling of no longer being a student was also helpful.”
The Dinant Competition changed Simon’s life, as it does for any saxophonist who wins it. His achievement made all the eyes in the saxophone world turn to him. And not only in the saxophone world: the City of Dinant itself—where Adolphe Sax was born—named him Honorary Citizen because of the historical significance of his victory (he was the first Belgian to win the first prize). Still, Simon dismisses this matter modestly: “In Dinant, I feel at home because I experienced very important moments there professionally and personally. And, of course, the result of the competition boosted my image within the saxophone world, although I am still the same musician as before, with the same desire to perform well and show my personality on stage.”
Today, Diricq remains involved with the Dinant Competition, but now “from the other side,” as a member of the organizing committee. “I am learning a lot, trying to help improve the regulations and evolve while maintaining the spirit and tradition. We want the competition to be as fair as possible, always focusing on what is most important to us: the candidates,” proclaims Simon, who in the last edition of 2019 served as the general secretary of the jury. “I have the opportunity to be the only saxophonist who sees the ratings while listening to the performers at the same time, which helps me understand different perspectives, schools, and tastes, as well as distinguish the qualities of each candidate.”
Teaching at the Brussels Conservatory
Once again, 2010 was a pivotal year for Simon, as he began teaching as an assistant at the Brussels Conservatory shortly after graduating from Paris. Since 2017, he has officially been a professor at the conservatory. “I was an assistant at the French-speaking Conservatory; when the position opened at the Conservatory of the Flemish region, I made the leap to become a professor,” he clarifies. In 1967, the Brussels Conservatory split into two associated but language-differentiated institutions: the Conservatoire royal de Bruxelles (French) and the Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel (Dutch, where Simon is).
Regarding his pedagogical approach, Simon constantly emphasizes the importance of his students finding their own path rather than imitating what he would do. “It is true that I share with them what I consider most important, but I dedicate a lot of time to discussing phrasing, sound, homogeneity, tuning, how to captivate the audience… I talk a lot, perhaps too much!” he admits with a laugh. “Just as I do in my role as a performer, as a teacher, I also strive to improve, renew, and convey my passion for details to my students. Let them know that the most important thing is to seek, not to find, because if you find, you might stop searching…”.
For a saxophonist of the 21st century, giving solo concerts and teaching at a conservatory is not enough. That’s why Diricq is also a chamber musician and composer. He formed a duo with the clarinetist Charles Michiels, which is gaining recognition among lovers of contemporary music: Ypsilon. Their album Pulsions (Klarthe Records, 2019) ends with a short piece written by Simon himself: VO²Max (VO²Max is the maximum rate of oxygen consumption measured during incremental exercise, explaining the rhythmic and energetic character of the piece).
Simon is successfully delving into the world of composition—his works are available on his website—possibly making him a complete musician. Another well-known work of his is L’effet de Coriolis (The Coriolis Effect) for solo alto saxophone, premiered at the Royal College of Music in London in 2018. He also published his own cadenzas for Glazunov’s Concerto and Ibert’s Concertino. “This composition thing emerged gradually, as a need to express and share. I decided to stop waiting to ‘be better.’ I think I am old enough to dare, and if I didn’t do it now, it might be too late. And I’m glad I did because the feeling of performing a piece on stage for the first time is incredible; that feeling of opening your mind and ideas from within is very special,” argues the musician.
Asked about upcoming compositions, Diricq talks to us about L’effet Fujiwara for soprano saxophone and violin (the Fujiwhara effect is named after the meteorological phenomenon of two hurricanes orbiting each other), revealing that this duo is dedicated to his partner Laeticia Cellura (concertmaster of the Brussels Philharmonic and “the love of my life,” in his own words), and reflects “the meeting of two hurricanes dancing together before merging.” Furthermore, Simon has more ideas for future works: “They take up a lot of my time. We’ll see which one I finish first. Perhaps a piece for saxophone and strings? Perhaps another cadenza?” he questions himself.
We can only express our deep admiration for this unique musician and our gratitude for his attention to our interview.
When you have goals and want to achieve them, it makes sense to seek advice from someone who has been able to achieve theirs. If you are a saxophonist aiming to make a career in the saxophone, Simon Diricq is someone you must listen to.
Conclusion
Simon Diricq’s musical journey, marked by early successes and continued achievements, showcases a dedicated artist with a deep passion for the saxophone. From his humble beginnings in Tournai to becoming the first Belgian saxophonist at the Paris Conservatory, Simon’s story reflects determination and talent.
Notably, his triumph at the Dinant Competition and ongoing involvement in its organization reveal a commitment to both personal growth and the saxophone community. As an educator, Simon encourages individuality and passion in his students at the Brussels Conservatory.
Beyond performance and teaching, Simon’s foray into chamber music and composition, exemplified by the contemporary duo Ypsilon, demonstrates a versatile and evolving artist. His compositions, including the emotionally charged L’effet Fujiwara, reveal a depth that extends beyond musical notes.
In the realm of saxophone, Simon Diricq emerges not just as a performer and educator but as a well-rounded artist whose influence transcends traditional boundaries. As he continues to inspire through music and education, Simon Diricq stands as a beacon for those forging their path in the world of music.
