Concert 13 mei 2025 20:15 - 21 mei 2025
De Flint, Amersfoort
When Dmitri Shostakovich encouraged composer Sofia Gubaidulina to follow 'the wrong path', these were words that kept her going in turbulent times. Shostakovich himself also consciously sought a dangerous route in his compositions by commenting on the regime. Ragazze Quartet performs the haunting piano quintet by Shostakovich with the winner of the Dutch Music Prize Thomas Beijer. This piano quintet is combined with the fiery second string quartet by Prokofiev and the gritty second string quartet by Gubaidulina. Three highlights from 20th-century string quartet literature.
Pintje, Patatje, Prokofjev
Four times Prokofiev, in different guises and performed by top international musicians. Sergei Prokofiev is known as one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. With his fresh, revolutionary style, he broke with the romantic tradition and created a wondrous, fairy-tale world. Various musicians continue this world, such as Duo Milstein, Nino Gvetadze, the Ragazze Quartet, and Thomas Beijer. Prior to the concerts at the Sint Aegtenkapel, you can enjoy at the bar with specially selected beer from Stadsbrouwerij De Drie Ringen and a 'patatje'. The series Pintje, Patatje, Prokofjev is a collaboration between Flint, September Me, a music festival for explorers and wanderers, and Stadsbrouwerij De Drie Ringen. The artistic leader of the Ragazze Quartet put together the September Me program.
Other dates:
May 16 - Doopsgezinde Kerk, Leeuwarden
May 21 - Stadsdeelkantoor Noord, Amsterdam
Concert 17 mei 2025 19:30
Schouwburg - Kleine Zaal
LOEV is a dance performance with live music about love and connection. About finding someone so cool that you can't stand still anymore. About friendship and wanting to belong. This playful performance with four dancers and four musicians shows that love in all forms is stronger than hate. Love. Actually, it should be a verb. Because loving is something you can learn. Love contributes to cohesion, empathy, and growth. And love can bridge differences.
In LOEV, the players first do everything to impress the other. They move like strange species across the stage. Playing, whistling, tooting, and parading proudly around. One shyly and cautiously gives a feather as a gift while hopping. The other plays too roughly and gets rebuked. Who impresses whom? Who mirrors whom? Emotions escalate. Higher and higher... Will it turn out okay?
“LOVE conquers all. Especially in times of war and polarization, it is important that we show empathy towards each other. LOEV is an exercise in humanity, in empathy, in love. You can't start early enough with that.” – Ryan Djojokarso
Concert 18 mei 2025 15:00
Van Cappellenhuis, IJssel
Noies, the Catalan word for girls, is a new string quartet based in Rotterdam. The adventurous quartet not only performs the well-known classical repertoire but also music that is not regularly performed. In addition to their passion for chamber music, they share a curiosity about the role of women in classical music. By including the works of composers such as Maddalena Lombardini Sirmen and Caroline Shaw in their concert programs, they shine a spotlight on female composers from the past and present.
The four string players completed their master's studies at Codarts in Rotterdam, the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, and the Norwegian Conservatory in Oslo. Violinist Viola Innocenti and cellist Mar Bonet Silvestre participated in the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra's Academy in the 2022 - 2023 season.
In the 2024 - 2025 season, the quartet will attend masterclasses at the Dutch String Quartet Academy, a post-graduate program for exceptionally gifted young musicians who want to specialize in playing string quartets.
Meanwhile, the four musicians are active in various orchestras and ensembles such as the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, the Residentie Orchestra, the Phion Orchestra, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, and the Doelen Ensemble. In 2024, they provided a prelude during the String Quartet Biennial in Amsterdam.
Concert 18 mei 2025 15:00
‘T mosterdzaadje
The highly promising Fontana Quartet will perform three string quartets at ’t Mosterdzaadje on Sunday, May 18th at 3:00 PM. On their program: Barber Adagio op.11, Shostakovich quartet no.8 op.110, and Schumann string quartet no.3 op.41 The members of the Fontana Quartet are violinists Mara Mostert and Caspar Bellamy, violist Elin Haver, and cellist Isaac Lottman. They are very excited about it and describe it as a program to savor!
Fontana is a lively, energetic, and passionate string quartet that has been working together since September 2021. Both personally and musically, they resonate with each other. And, equally important, they share ambitions.
All four of them were at the Sweelinck Academy. They are now studying at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, where they meet for rehearsals and lessons with Dmitri Ferschtman, Judith van Driel, and Peter Brunt. They have already had several performances; on TV at Podium Klassiek, on the radio at Concertzender, and on beautiful stages throughout the Netherlands. In March 2024, the ensemble embarked on a collaboration with Portuguese soprano Madalena Massano, with whom they toured to Portugal and gave five successful concerts. Their repertoire includes quartets by Smetana, Mendelssohn, Britten, Schumann, and Shostakovich, among others.
Since October 2024, the Fontana Quartet has been associated with the NSKA, an academy that guides young ensembles in their learning process and offers many opportunities. The Fontana Quartet will bring three different works to ’t Mosterdzaadje.
Program:
Samuel Barber’s Molto Adagio, the second movement from his String Quartet, Op. 11
Dmitri Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 8 in C, Op. 110
Robert Schumann’s String Quartet No. 3 in A, Op. 41
Concert 18 mei 2025 15:00
Stadsschouwburg Utrecht
'LOEV' is a dance performance with live music about love and connection. About finding someone so cool that you can't stand still anymore. About friendship and wanting to belong. This playful performance with four dancers and four musicians shows that love in all its forms is stronger than hate.
Love. Actually, it should be a verb. Because you can learn to love.
Love contributes to togetherness, empathy, and growth. And love can bridge differences.
In 'LOEV', the players first do everything to impress the other. They move like strange species across the stage. Playing, whistling, tooting, and showing off as they parade around. Who impresses whom? Who mirrors whom? Emotions run high. Higher and higher... Will it end well?
"Especially in times of war and polarization, it is important that we show empathy towards each other. LOEV is an exercise in humanity, in empathy, in love." - Ryan Djojokarso
Concert 22 mei 2025 05:00 - 25 mei 2025
Kampen
The Dudok Quartet Amsterdam is among the top string quartets in the Netherlands. For over 15 years, the quartet has demonstrated that music touches, moves and connects. That music, especially where it conflicts and resonates, leads to deeper understanding and connection. And that the meaning of music reveals itself in the shared experience, with the listener playing an essential role.
In 2024, the quartet took the next step in their musical development: their own chamber music festival! Due to the success of last year, the Dudok Music Days will also take place this year, once again in Kampen!
From Thursday, May 22 to Sunday, May 25, 2025, Kampen will once again be dedicated to chamber music. During the second edition of the Dudok Music Days, the Dudok Quartet Amsterdam invites you to enjoy four days together full of concerts and other surprising programs: solo performances, cross-overs, yoga sessions, musical walks, and much more!
The theme for this second edition is 'Boundless'. We live in a world without borders: knowledge, music, and ideas travel faster than ever. At the same time, borders are becoming more tangible, as markers and as invitations to look further. How far are we willing to go, and what happens when we surpass those boundaries?
This year, the Dudok Quartet Amsterdam will not be alone in this. This year, they form the musical team alongside Olga Pashchenko (piano), Elisabeth Hetherington (soprano), Erik Bosgraaf (recorder), Izhar Elias (guitar), Xavi Torres (piano), Ramon Lormans (percussion), and James Oesi (double bass).
Concert 22 mei 2025 20:00
De Burgwal, Kampen
During the opening concert of the Dudok Music Days, the theme of the (un)reachable takes center stage. Tonight, David's lifelong fascination with the infinite universe and an insurmountable distance between two people on earth become intertwined.
The Dudok Quartet Amsterdam joins forces with the young talents of the Otilka Quartet in the string octet "The Chronicler" (2024) by composer Max Knigge: a musical thriller that unfolds on the edges of the stratosphere. A century earlier, Arnold Schoenberg also experienced the "air of other planets," which he translated into an extraterrestrial song for string quartet and soprano. Both Schoenberg and Ludwig van Beethoven also sing about their unattainable lovers. From the latter, a romantic song cycle echoes, entwined with improvisations that blur the line between Beethoven and the present time. Finally, the Frenchman Olivier Messiaen resigns himself everywhere in his silent hymn to eternity.
The musicians of the Dudok Music Days create a cosmic game of attraction and repulsion. Let yourself be touched by a program that explores the boundaries of space and humanity.
Concert 24 mei 2025 19:45
Muziekgebouw, Amsterdam
French Quatuor Ébène is known for its versatility. They are as comfortable playing film scores or Beatles arrangements as quartets from Haydn to Ravel. A few years ago, Ébène garnered jubilant reviews with the monster project Beethoven around the world: recordings of all of Beethoven’s string quartets in seven prestigious concert halls. Tonight, they play his First String Quartet. In addition, they will play Tchaikovsky’s Third (and last) String Quartet and a brand new work by composer Raphaël Merlin, who is also Ébène’s cellist.
Merlin is a multi-talent. He once composed a cello concerto for internationally-acclaimed cellist Nicolas Altstaedt. This will be Merlin’s first string quartet, and for his very own group: a premiere to look forward to. Incidentally, Beethoven’s String Quartet No 1 was the second quartet he composed, as he had already finished quartet number 3 by then. It is said that for the hauntingly beautiful Adagio, Beethoven was inspired by the dramatic apotheosis at the tomb in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
Program:
19:45 / Entrance Hall / Support / Otilka Quartet
Erwin Schulhoff 5 Stücke für Streichquartett
20:15 / Main Hall / Main programme / Quatuor Ébène
Ludwig van Beethoven String Quartet No. 1 in F
Raphaël Merlin Tetrhappy* (Dutch première)
Pyotr Tchaikovsky String Quartet No. 3 in E flat minor
Concert 24 mei 2025 20:00
Goede Rede, Almere
Folk music holds a special place in the hearts of the Belinfante Quartet, and you can hear that in this program. Dutch folk songs are interspersed with traditional music from South Africa, Suriname, and Indonesia, creating a surprising and varied concert. The program invites reflection on shared history and mutual influences. This unique mix of music and poetry encourages contemplation and allows for connections between cultures.
The Belinfante Quartet is known for their personal style and surprising repertoire choices. They combine classical masterpieces with music from lesser-known composers and their own arrangements of folk music.
The quartet enjoys collaborating with others. In 2020, they worked with the urban dance group Static and Who's Next on workshops and performances at secondary schools in Almere. In 2021, they paired Haydn's "Sieben Letzten Worte" with impressive visuals by Jordi Cardenas. The quartet honors Frieda Belinfante, a cellist and the first female conductor in Europe, who serves as a major source of inspiration, with their name.
Concert 31 mei 2025 14:30
Theatercafé van de Koning van Engeland te Hulst
The Hera Quartet is based in Amsterdam and was founded in October 2022 after the four musicians met at the “Conservatorium van Amsterdam”. The quartet is currently studying with Dmitri Ferschtman at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. Since November 2023, the Hera Quartet has officially become part of the NSKA String Quartet Academy where they received lessons from: Marc Danel, Eberhard Feltz, Simone Gramaglia, Matthieu van Bellen, Lukas Hagen, Judith van Driel, and David Faber. In April 2024, they were invited to participate in Le Dimore del Quartetto. In December 2024, they made their debut in the Small Hall of the Concertgebouw, and the concert was recorded live by the Radio Concertzender. In February 2025, they also made their debut on National Radio, NPO Klassiek.
Program:
L. Van Beethoven String Quartet Op. 18 no. 6 in B-flat
J. Brahms String Quartet Op. 67 No. 3 in B-flat
Camile Jansen, selected Miniatures from In Vivid Colour
Concert 1 juni 2025 11:00
Musis, Muzenzaal
Hannes Minnaar invites the young Animato Quartet to liven up Sunday morning with Dvořák's Second Piano Quintet.
Spotlight Artist Hannes Minnaar can now be considered an established pianist. But one with a heart for the younger generation of musicians. That is why he invites the Animato Quartet to play Dvořák's Second Piano Quintet. With the Kersjes Prize 2023 and the Audience Award of Dutch Classical Talent 2022 in their pocket, the Animato Quartet can be considered one of the most promising string quartets in the Netherlands. Together with the experienced pianist, the four string players create the ultimate chamber music by combining pure lyricism and Czech folk music. The quartet will perform Brahms' Second String Quartet with lyrical melodies and an exciting finale full of drama.
The genesis of Dvořák's Piano Quintet is somewhat unusual. He was not satisfied with the First Piano Quintet he had written in his youth. That's why shortly after the premiere, he destroyed the work. Later, through a friend, he came across a score of the piece again and decided to revise it. The revision got out of hand and resulted in a completely new work with the second piano quintet, in which the composer's maturity is expressed in the fusion of pieces inspired by folk music such as the dumka and the furiant, and delightful romantic Dvořák melodies.
Program:
Brahms - Second String Quartet in A
Dvořák - Piano Quintet no. 2 in A, Op. 81
Concert 1 juni 2025 14:00
TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht
Dutch Classical Talent - Tour & Award is a talent development program of eighteen months for young classical talents from the Netherlands. The candidates are not older than 28 years and are studying or have graduated from one of the Dutch conservatories.
After two audition rounds, a professional jury appoints four soloists, duos or ensembles as finalists. The four chosen finalists then go through the DCT Tour & Award program. The Tour & Award program consists of a coaching program in which there is plenty of room for personal and musical development, a tour along fourteen Dutch concert halls, and finally an exciting finale in which the four finalists compete for the DCT Award and the Audience Award. The DCT Award amounts to €10,000 and is intended to support the further career of the musician or ensemble. The Audience Award includes a performance at the Hertz in TivoliVredenburg.
Dutch Classical Talent is an initiative of the Dutch concert halls and JCP Foundation. The finale of Dutch Classical Talent is made possible in part by the Angela E. Fund managed by the Cultuurfonds.
Keizersgracht 241
1016 EA Amsterdam
info@nska.nl
