Erik Desimpelaere is a Belgian composer, pianist and conductor.

He obtained a Master’s Degree in Piano from the Royal Conservatory of Brussels with Piet Kuijken and a Master’s Degree in Composition from the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp with Wim Henderickx and Luc Van Hove. He is currently studying Orchestral Conducting at the Amsterdam Conservatory with Ed Spanjaard and Lucas Vis.

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Erik Desimpelaere composes music for various settings, ranging from symphonic orchestra, musical theatre and symphonic wind band to chamber music and solo repertoire.  As a composer, Erik has cooperated with various ensembles and artists, including  het Kamerorkest Brugge, The symphonic Band of the Belgian Guides and the Royal Navy Band of Belgium, Kugoni trio, Astria trio, Belgian Brass, Eburon quintet, Arco Baleno and David Desimpelaere. He also works as an arranger for several ensembles.

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As a pianist, Erik Desimpelaere forms a permanent duo with his brother David Desimpelaere, double bass player.  

 

In 2013, they released the CD ‘Reflections on a song’ (Phaedra Classics) with Belgian repertoire for double bass and piano.  The release of their second CD 'Smile' (Dynamic Records) was done in 2018 and received unanimous praising critics. Erik is also part of the Chiarina piano trio and regularly performs in various chamber music ensembles.