Artistic director Yoram Ish-Hurwitz, former Oerol Festival director Joop Mulder, composer Vanessa Lann and the ten-headed band Coal Harbour open the Cultural Capital Edition of Oranjewoud Festival. Then: music!

› More info about The Opening

Crossing the Canal, a Rotterdam based project initiated by jazz- and classically educated musicians, is a project that is bound to explore the borders between classical composed music and jazz music. These two huge musical traditions and the unique instrumentation of the group; a jazz sextet combined with a classical string quartet, offer a broad variation of musical possibilities.

The first program of Crossing the Canal, inspired by the theme Sea and Shipping, includes arrangements of Claude Debussy’s La Mer and Kurt Weill’s My Ship. After being premiered at the Amsterdam Grachtenfestival in 2015 a part of the program was released on an EP: "Crossing the Canal". After a succesful release of the EP, the ensemble made another program for the Amsterdam Grachtenfestival in 2016. For this program they made arrangements of Debussy's String Quartet, Stravinsky's Ebony Concerto and Schulhoff's Hot-Sonata.

www.coalharbour-music.com

› More info about Coal Harbour

The Oranjewoud Festival will open with a bang. The complete Noord Nederlands Orkest orchestra with conductor Benjamin Levy will perform on the brand-new stage built over the Prinsenwijk, the body of water behind the Oranjewoud Estate. The programme opens with a spectacular world première of Future Perfect, a site-specific work for symphony orchestra by American composer Vanessa Lann. Next, 17-year-old Noa Wildschut will perform as the soloist in Sergei Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2, one of the most moving solo concertos written in the 20th century. The orchestra and conductor will then conclude the concert with a fantastic flourish. The festival has now begun!

› More info about Noa & NNO (Opening concert)

Under the Surface is a new Dutch band formed by Dutch drummer Joost Lijbaart (known for his work with Yuri Honing), guitarist Bram Stadhouders (known from his work with the Netherlands chamber choir, Jim Black, Sidsel Endersen) and vocalist Sanne Rambags (winner conservatory talent award 2017). She is one of the few singers of her generation who is able to improvise in a very open way, sometimes with self-written texts and poems, sometimes by positioning herself completely between the musicians. This gives her voice an instrumental function which is beautifully in line with the open group sound and the playing of Lijbaart and Stadhouders.

› More info about Under the Surface

Nyk de Vries’ unique combination of recitation, music, film and radio play.
This is a contribution of Lân fan Taal.
 

› More info about Tongen (premiere)

In an open field is a circle of sails formed by eight wind harps. Their soft ethereal sounds become audible as one approaches. The singing sails form a chapel of sound. In the middle of this open space sits a woman wrapped like a mummy in a paper dress covered with incomprehensible characters. She is playing a Japanese wind instrument.

People approach from the distance. They are reciting fragments from ‘Koerikoeloem’, a poem written by Tjitske Jansen, every line of which begins with the words ‘there was’. As the singers make their way forward, they leave long strips of paper behind as if they are literally letting go of the lyrics they have sung. Finally, they sit down between the wind harps, around the audience.

Meanwhile, three figures (the Axolot recorder trio) appear and free the woman from her paper wrappings. The strange characters written on the wrappings turn out to be a kind of graphic musical score originating from ancient Spanish manuscripts: music that disappeared long ago and is being rediscovered in the polyphonic improvisations played by the recorders. The recital of poetry performed by the choir becomes more and more melodious. Again and again we hear ‘There was’. Increasingly complex patterns of movement and music develop until a calm returns and everything seems to be absorbed into the sound of the wind harps.

The musicians and performers contributing to ‘Koerikoeloem’ are:
Eight vocal soloists
Jan Heinke, sound system
Hans van Koolwijk, sound system consultant
Susanne Marx, choreography/mise-en-scène

› More info about Koerikoeloem (première)

Les poètes maudits, written by Paul Verlaine, pays a unique testimony to six French poets including Stéphane Mallarmé and Paul Verlaine (alias Pauvre Lelian). Misunderstood since their youth, these poets placed themselves beyond the bounds of mainstream society. Their behaviour was provocative, perverse, antisocial and - due to their excessive use of alcohol and drugs - also self-destructive. They died, however, before their genius had been discovered and their poetry understood.

This rather hyped-up cliché of the misunderstood artist is the background against which this exceptional song recital is performed. The poetry of Verlaine and Mallarmé fused with the works of Debussy and Hahn move between extremes of ecstatic feelings and death wishes and are alternated with certain songs and vocalisations composed by George Crumb.

Along with Revue Blanche and writer Stefan Hertmans, Belgian soprano Lore Binon was invited to the festival in 2017 where her audience was deeply moved by the purity of her voice and her natural musicality. In 2018, she will be performing with the equally talented pianist, Inge Spinette.

› More info about Les poètes maudits

Ikarai, consisting of strings, bass, piano and drums, uniquely blends the worlds of classical composition and improvisation into the soundtrack of a tale never told. On their album FLY, Ikarai tells the story of the Greek myth of Icarus in sound. Was Icarus overconfident and naive, or brave and free? FLY tells the story of a boy who took a leap of faith and found ecstasy in freedom.

Performing only original material, Ikarai sounds like no other. Whilst referring to the European classical tradition, their compositions highlight improvisation, interplay and spontaneity. Finding an honest blend between these elements characterizes Ikarai’s vision of the future of modern music.

› More info about Ikarai plays FLY

Hannes Minnaar is one of the Netherlands’ most interesting pianists whose delicate and sensual touch affects the heart of everyone who loves piano music. He was invited to perform at the Oranjewoud Festival back in 2016 as a pianist in the famous Van BaerleTrio. This was in the same year that he released his highly celebrated CD with piano works by Fauré - works that will form the basis of this recital.

Fauré’s music for piano is much more than pleasant salon music. In the intimacy of his impromptus and preludes, this French composer manages to expose his soul time after time. His style - always original and personal - is lyrical, flowing and averse to extremes or ostentation. These properties lend the music its mellow yet deep character.

This performance is being co-funded by the Offringa-Hoekstra Stichting.

› More info about In love with Fauré

In an open field is a circle of sails formed by eight wind harps. Their soft ethereal sounds become audible as one approaches. The singing sails form a chapel of sound. In the middle of this open space sits a woman wrapped like a mummy in a paper dress covered with incomprehensible characters. She is playing a Japanese wind instrument.

People approach from the distance. They are reciting fragments from ‘Koerikoeloem’, a poem written by Tjitske Jansen, every line of which begins with the words ‘there was’. As the singers make their way forward, they leave long strips of paper behind as if they are literally letting go of the lyrics they have sung. Finally, they sit down between the wind harps, around the audience.

Meanwhile, three figures (the Axolot recorder trio) appear and free the woman from her paper wrappings. The strange characters written on the wrappings turn out to be a kind of graphic musical score originating from ancient Spanish manuscripts: music that disappeared long ago and is being rediscovered in the polyphonic improvisations played by the recorders. The recital of poetry performed by the choir becomes more and more melodious. Again and again we hear ‘There was’. Increasingly complex patterns of movement and music develop until a calm returns and everything seems to be absorbed into the sound of the wind harps.

The musicians and performers contributing to ‘Koerikoeloem’ are:

Eight vocal soloists

Jan Heinke, sound system

Hans van Koolwijk, sound system consultant

Susanne Marx, choreography/mise-en-scène

› More info about Koerikoeloem (bis)

Incorrigible instigator, classic rock star, entertainer or ambassador. Whatever you think of Nigel Kennedy’s playing style, it’s anything but boring and always highly original. In this sense, Kennedy’s interpretations of Bach and Vivaldi are more authentic than many historically accurate performances. His renditions are always alive and kicking.

After years of absence, this iconic violinist will be back on Dutch soil at the invitation of the Oranjewoud Festival. In his new Bach programme, he transforms Bach’s two-part Inventions and Sonatas into his own unique transcriptions. Also on the programme are five Dedications in which he pays homage to great musical personalities who have meant a lot to him.

Band

Rolf Bussalb, guitars
Doug Boyle, guitars
Peter Adams, cello
Yaron Stavi, bass

› More info about Bach meets Kennedy meets Gershwin

Step into the huge futuristic plastic bubble designed by Italian artist Marco Canevacci and experience a ‘silent concert’ performed by TEMKO in the Overtuin at night. This trio will play the minimalistic ‘Lunar’, written by guitarist and composer Aart Strootman, winner of the Gaudeamus Award 2017, together with bass player Fred Jacobsson and percussionist Ramon Lormans. Both musicians and audience will wear headphones to listen to the music. For the rest, the silence of the night will prevail.

With compulsive accuracy, the polyrhythms of the bass and wooden percussion instruments will overlap until the prepared guitar interconnects the musical pulses. What develops is an apparently spiritual world of sound that continues until the enchantment is broken and each of the musicians goes his own way. Almost completely hidden in darkness, loud, merciless and yet so very relaxing: Lunar is a unique experience.

› More info about Lunar (A silent concert)

Get up with the birds and greet the new day with the music of Bach. Percussionist Sytze Pruiksma and cellist Geneviève Verhage team up for a sparkling concert. What they share is a boundless love of both music and the natural world. In addition to playing the cello, Geneviève explores the Dutch flora and fauna on her old racing bicycle, and Sytze travels the world as a birder.

While the expansive glass walls of the museum offer views to the awakening of the natural surroundings, Sytze and Geneviève bring a set list of duets to the highest level in which the ‘Bach Suite for Cello No. 2’ is framed by compositions of birdsong that explore the interfaces of music and nature.

After the performance, the musicians and the audience will have breakfast together at long tables. Morning has broken…

› More info about Birds of Bach (Sunrise concert)

Imagine this: You’re sitting down and calmly breathing in and out while listening to the enchanting sounds of a guitar and other instruments. Once you’re lying down, completely relaxed on your yoga mat, you hear a soft voice leading you into meditation. Welcome to ‘Yoga in Concert!’

‘Yoga in Concert’ is an idea developed by Jan Kuiper, a guitarist, writer and yogi. He and his partner, Yvonne de Hoop, have been giving sensational yoga concerts for several years now. ‘Yoga in Concert’ is a unique experience combining yoga and music. Yoga positions, musical sounds and meditation converge during this special concert. Experience it as you like: participate actively on your own yoga mat, lean back and relax while listening to the beautiful music, or do some of each. During the class, we’ll take you along in a flow of movement, breathing and relaxation. No ‘Yoga in Concert’ is ever the same. The content, dynamics and atmosphere of the yoga classes are determined by the location, the musicians and the theme. Jan and Yvonne will take you on a unique inner journey.

The content of the classes is suitable for all levels of yoga practice, including beginners. The yoga class will be held in the Overtuin if the weather is nice or in Tjaarda if the weather is cool or rainy.

› More info about Yoga in concert

Mensen met een verstandelijke beperking maken een wezenlijk deel uit van onze maatschappij. Oranjewoud Festival, Ateliers Majeur en Talant slaan de handen ineen om ook deze kwetsbare groep mensen op een actieve manier bij het festival te betrekken en hen aan te spreken op hun kwaliteiten en hun passie. Dit doen wij door een uitdagende en inspirerende muzikale verbinding te maken met professionele musici.

Wie is er eigenlijk zonder beperking?

Het Onbeperkt Ensemble is een klein orkest bestaande uit professionele musici en mensen met een verstandelijke beperking. Muzikale expressie is een universeel gegeven en vormt de gemeenschappelijke noemer waarbinnen mensen  met verschillende achtergronden en mogelijkheden elkaar kunnen vinden. In het Onbeperkt Ensemble kunnen mensen met een verstandelijke beperking serieus hun creatieve vermogen en muzikale mogelijkheden tonen.

Minimal music

Dat levert een interessant samenspel op waarvan je vandaag getuige kunt zijn. Het klankspel wordt mede bepaald en gevormd door ritmische structuren en doet denken aan minimal music zoals die van Philip Glass of Steve Reich: ostinato-achtige klanken die een fascinerende en meditatieve werking kunnen hebben op de toehoorder.

Onbeperkt Ensemble

fluitgroep
Merije Luinenburg
Gerard Klaren
Geert de Vries
Fiona van der Marel, dwarsfluit

akkoordinstrumenten
Henk Noppert, accordeon
Peter Huttinga, gitaar

slagwerk
James Yeoman
Marja Modderman
Trisia Dommershuijzen
Tiny Sypersma
Jappie Hoekstra

strijkers
Eleanore Tan, cello
Melisa Delgado, altviool

artistieke leiding
Remi Adriaansz en Stephan Mooibroek (muziektherapeuten)

Foto's Janita Baron

› More info about Onbeperkt Ensemble

For almost 30 years, Di Gojim has been causing a sensation with its very own interpretation of klezmer. Klezmer is a rich mixture of Eastern European folk styles, as well as Jewish and Gypsy music. Music for the joyous occasions of life but also for the sad moments. 

Di Gojim has won international acclaim and is widely regarded as one of the best klezmer bands in the world. In the Netherlands, Di Gojim plays in all the best known theaters. Abroad, the group plays at festivals and theatres from Berlin to Budapest, from Madrid to Mexico City. Even by special invitation on Broadway- the Great White Way of New York. Wherever they perform, their public responds enthusiastically to their musical outpouring of melancholy and subtle humor.

› More info about Di Gojim

Greek marimba player Theo Milkov is becoming internationally famous for his unique interpretations of Bach and Scarlatti. What he unleashes in sound and virtuosity on his instrument is usually reserved for pianists. It’s no wonder, thus, that his playing is a source of inspiration for marimba players everywhere. He performed in the opening concert of the Oranjewoud Festival back in 2014 when he also gave a masterclass together with fellow marimba player, Tatiana Koleva. This year, he will give an exclusive marimba recital in which he performs highly contrasting works written by the previously mentioned iconic composers.

› More info about Marimbach

Two remarkable instruments from two completely different worlds come together in this programme. The sometimes sonorous, sometimes whimsical sounds of the viola enter into an intriguing game with the sometimes melancholic, sometimes passionate tones of the bandoneon. The result is a performance as moving as it is festive with gems by Bach, Piazzolla, Dana’s grandfather (Evgeni Zemtsov), Nisinman himself and various other composers.

This performance will also be given on: Sunday, 3 June at 3:00 pm

› More info about Viola meets bandoneon

Imagine this: floating on water while sounds literally flow into your ears. A small number of people will be offered the opportunity to participate in this special pilot project held in the Tjaarda Oranjewoud wellness swimming pool. As a participant, you will wear your bathing suit and will receive a special floating helmet and bands worn above the knees to keep you relaxed while floating on the surface. Not until your ears are beneath the surface of the water will you hear the music played by TEMKO at the side of the pool. Just close your eyes and bob lightly away on the babbling sounds of this unique trio.

› More info about Floating (pilot)

Imagine this: floating on water while sounds literally flow into your ears. A small number of people will be offered the opportunity to participate in this special pilot project held in the Tjaarda Oranjewoud wellness swimming pool. As a participant, you will wear your bathing suit and will receive a special floating helmet and bands worn above the knees to keep you relaxed while floating on the surface. Not until your ears are beneath the surface of the water will you hear the music played by TEMKO at the side of the pool. Just close your eyes and bob lightly away on the babbling sounds of this unique trio.

› More info about Floating (pilot)

Kameroperahuis, the Oranjewoud Festival, theatre society De Twa Doarpen, and students of the Bornego College and OSG Sevenwolden will present ‘The Bell and the Girl’. This is just one of the 32 events included in ‘Under the Tower’ that tell exceptional stories about what happened in each of the 32 churches in Friesland. These stories provide the starting point for the events in which artists will collaborate with people in the community. Together, they will depict the most wonderful stories - stories that are well worth retelling.

‘The Bell and the Girl’ will be performed in both Dutch and Frisian.

Direction: Céline Hoex
Composition: Stan Verberkt
Text: Wessel de Vries
Design: Vera Selhorst

› More info about The Bell and the Girl (try-out)

Greek marimba player Theo Milkov is becoming internationally famous for his unique interpretations of Bach and Scarlatti. What he unleashes in sound and virtuosity on his instrument is usually reserved for pianists. It’s no wonder, thus, that his playing is a source of inspiration for marimba players everywhere. He performed in the opening concert of the Oranjewoud Festival back in 2014 when he also gave a masterclass together with fellow marimba player, Tatiana Koleva. This year, he will give an exclusive marimba recital in which he performs highly contrasting works written by the previously mentioned iconic composers.

› More info about Marimbach

Noa Wildschut is not only an exceptional violinist but also a writer of wonderful poetry. Her love of language has made her a great admirer of award-winning author Joke van Leeuwen. It now appears that this is a mutual admiration has led to a collaboration especially developed for the Oranjewoud Festival. Noa is joined by other prominent young musicians in playing some of her favourite pieces. In her typically original and humorous style, Joke frames the music with words to draw in the audience. The result is a gem of a performance sure to be enjoyed by young and old alike.

› More info about Tinteltijd

Two remarkable instruments from two completely different worlds come together in this programme. The sometimes sonorous, sometimes whimsical sounds of the viola enter into an intriguing game with the sometimes melancholic, sometimes passionate tones of the bandoneon. The result is a performance as moving as it is festive with gems by Bach, Piazzolla, Dana’s grandfather (Evgeni Zemtsov), Nisinman himself and various other composers.

› More info about Viola meets bandoneon (bis)

Imagine this: floating on water while sounds literally flow into your ears. A small number of people will be offered the opportunity to participate in this special pilot project held in the Tjaarda Oranjewoud wellness swimming pool. As a participant, you will wear your bathing suit and will receive a special floating helmet and bands worn above the knees to keep you relaxed while floating on the surface. Not until your ears are beneath the surface of the water will you hear the music played by TEMKO at the side of the pool. Just close your eyes and bob lightly away on the babbling sounds of this unique trio.

› More info about Floating (pilot)

Imagine this: floating on water while sounds literally flow into your ears. A small number of people will be offered the opportunity to participate in this special pilot project held in the Tjaarda Oranjewoud wellness swimming pool. As a participant, you will wear your bathing suit and will receive a special floating helmet and bands worn above the knees to keep you relaxed while floating on the surface. Not until your ears are beneath the surface of the water will you hear the music played by TEMKO at the side of the pool. Just close your eyes and bob lightly away on the babbling sounds of this unique trio.

› More info about Floating (pilot)

"The music of the Eef van Breen Group is adventurous; it travels through musical landscapes, jumps effortlessly across style barriers, and cannot be captured, pinned down or categorised.

Music like a resounding film that stimulates all the senses and continuously travels in surprising directions. It makes the work of the Group not only fantastic to listen to, but also music to think about."

The Eef van Breen Group could often be heard in the theatre in recent years, including in Fellini and the theatre hit Borgen by the Noord-Nederlands Toneel and with its own ‘film without image’ Chapman for President. Along with the Berlin musicians violinist Biliana Voutchkova and pianist Antonis Annisegos, Eef van Breen created the music for the play Kinder des Paradieses at the Berliner Ensemble last winter. In the Netherlands, he played together with his permanent group members, harpist Eva Tebbe and bassist Stathis Elio, in the performance Bambie is Back! by the Bambie mime theatre group. He brings these two worlds together in a quintet line-up during this concert at the Oranjewoud Festival.

A sung standard, balanced compositions, wild improvisations, poetic sound fields. The Eef van Breen Group pushes the boundaries even further with this international group brought together for the Oranjewoud Festival within the framework of LF2018!

Eef van Breen, trumpet/composition
Eva Tebbe, harp/vocals
Biliana Voutchkova, violin
Stathis Elio, double bass/tuba
Antonis Anissegos, piano/harmonium

www.eefvanbreengroup.com

› More info about Travelling North

Francesco Tristano: not your average pianist. One moment he’s performing on one of the world’s most impressive stages for classical music; the next, he’s a DJ spinning records at a big techno concert.

Bach’s Goldberg Variations inspired him to launch a brand-new project in which the various forms and structures of this masterpiece are reflected during its performance by graphic 2D and 3D images. Edging back and forth between music and technology, this pianist takes his audience on a voyage of discovery. His Goldberg City Variations create a unique and entrancing concert that draws the audience into an entirely new world.

› More info about Goldberg City Variations

Imagine this: floating on water while sounds literally flow into your ears. A small number of people will be offered the opportunity to participate in this special pilot project held in the Tjaarda Oranjewoud wellness swimming pool. As a participant, you will wear your bathing suit and will receive a special floating helmet and bands worn above the knees to keep you relaxed while floating on the surface. Not until your ears are beneath the surface of the water will you hear the music played by TEMKO at the side of the pool. Just close your eyes and bob lightly away on the babbling sounds of this unique trio.

› More info about Floating (pilot)

Imagine this: floating on water while sounds literally flow into your ears. A small number of people will be offered the opportunity to participate in this special pilot project held in the Tjaarda Oranjewoud wellness swimming pool. As a participant, you will wear your bathing suit and will receive a special floating helmet and bands worn above the knees to keep you relaxed while floating on the surface. Not until your ears are beneath the surface of the water will you hear the music played by TEMKO at the side of the pool. Just close your eyes and bob lightly away on the babbling sounds of this unique trio.

› More info about Floating (pilot)

Kameroperahuis, the Oranjewoud Festival, theatre society De Twa Doarpen, and students of the Bornego College and OSG Sevenwolden will present ‘The Bell and the Girl’. This is just one of the 32 events included in ‘Under the Tower’ that tell exceptional stories about what happened in each of the 32 churches in Friesland. These stories provide the starting point for the events in which artists will collaborate with people in the community. Together, they will depict the most wonderful stories - stories that are well worth retelling.

‘The Bell and the Girl’ will be performed in both Dutch and Frisian.

Direction: Céline Hoex
Composition: Stan Verberkt
Text: Wessel de Vries
Design: Vera Selhorst

› More info about The Bell and the Girl (premiere)

Kameroperahuis, the Oranjewoud Festival, theatre society De Twa Doarpen, and students of the Bornego College and OSG Sevenwolden will present ‘The Bell and the Girl’. This is just one of the 32 events included in ‘Under the Tower’ that tell exceptional stories about what happened in each of the 32 churches in Friesland. These stories provide the starting point for the events in which artists will collaborate with people in the community. Together, they will depict the most wonderful stories - stories that are well worth retelling.

‘The Bell and the Girl’ will be performed in both Dutch and Frisian.

Direction: Céline Hoex
Composition: Stan Verberkt
Text: Wessel de Vries
Design: Vera Selhorst

› More info about The Bell and the Girl

Kameroperahuis, the Oranjewoud Festival, theatre society De Twa Doarpen, and students of the Bornego College and OSG Sevenwolden will present ‘The Bell and the Girl’. This is just one of the 32 events included in ‘Under the Tower’ that tell exceptional stories about what happened in each of the 32 churches in Friesland. These stories provide the starting point for the events in which artists will collaborate with people in the community. Together, they will depict the most wonderful stories - stories that are well worth retelling.

‘The Bell and the Girl’ will be performed in both Dutch and Frisian.

Direction: Céline Hoex
Composition: Stan Verberkt
Text: Wessel de Vries
Design: Vera Selhorst

› More info about The Bell and the Girl

Every two years, the best young Dutch violinists compete for the highest honour: to win the famous Dutch Violin Competition in the Oskar Back category. Winners will be following in the footsteps of Jaap van Zweden, Emmy Verhey, Vera Beths, Liza Ferschtman, Rosanne Philippens and many other eminent violinists that the Netherlands has produced. During this concert, Niek Baar, who was awarded this prize in 2018, will be given a starring role at the Oranjewoud Festival: a special meeting between the festival audience of today and the violin virtuoso of tomorrow.

› More info about And the winner is…

The year 2018 marks 100 years since the death of Debussy. This programme combines both familiar and less familiar works by Debussy with works by his teachers, friends and admirers. Did you know, for example, that both Fauré and Debussy composed songs for the beautiful Emma Bardac? Or that Janáček is also known as the Czech Debussy? All you have to do to discover this and more about Debussy is to enter the salon!

› More info about Salon de Debussy

Kameroperahuis, the Oranjewoud Festival, theatre society De Twa Doarpen, and students of the Bornego College and OSG Sevenwolden will present ‘The Bell and the Girl’. This is just one of the 32 events included in ‘Under the Tower’ that tell exceptional stories about what happened in each of the 32 churches in Friesland. These stories provide the starting point for the events in which artists will collaborate with people in the community. Together, they will depict the most wonderful stories - stories that are well worth retelling.

‘The Bell and the Girl’ will be performed in both Dutch and Frisian.

Direction: Céline Hoex
Composition: Stan Verberkt
Text: Wessel de Vries
Design: Vera Selhorst

› More info about The Bell and the Girl

Every two years, the best young Dutch violinists compete for the highest honour: to win the famous Dutch Violin Competition in the Oskar Back category. Winners will be following in the footsteps of Jaap van Zweden, Emmy Verhey, Vera Beths, Liza Ferschtman, Rosanne Philippens and many other eminent violinists that the Netherlands has produced. During this concert, Niek Baar, who was awarded this prize in 2018, will be given a starring role at the Oranjewoud Festival: a special meeting between the festival audience of today and the violin virtuoso of tomorrow.

› More info about And the winner is… (bis)

On the basis of research conducted in 1994 by the German musicologist, Prof. Helga Thoene, the Hilliard Ensemble with violinist Christoph Poppen then performed Bach’s famous ‘Chaconne for Solo Violin, from Partita No. 2’ with his chorals. Thoene found references in both the chaconne and the lyrics in the chorals to the death of Bach’s wife, Maria Barbara.

Working closely with Prof. Thoene, the young violinist Noé Inui revives this unique concept. The performance of all five movements of the partita alternates with the hidden messages in the chorals as sung by Renate Jacobs (soprano), Karen Sanders (alto), Makiri Mual (tenor) and Roeland Gerritsen (bass). At the end, the chaconne is performed again but together with the chorals when they harmonise perfectly with the violin partiture.

› More info about Morimur

The central part of the café area in Museum Belvédère is transformed into a boxing ring: the ensemble Ikarai takes the audience into the tale of the boxing legend ​Muhammad Ali. A daring fight between classical, jazz and audio samples of Ali’s famous ​Rumble in the Jungle ​and his charismatic speeches.

In MUHAMMAD, Ikarai takes on a whole new approach to the sport of boxing. The epic fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in 1974 in Kinshasa, Zaïre (now Congo), ​The Rumble in the Jungle, ​is a perfect fit to be given a musical score: rhythmic, gracious, honest but with heavy blows.

› More info about Muhammad

Astrid Haring, harp
Lotte Pen, altsaxofoon
Twan Stekelenburg, baritonsaxofoon
Wenny Roeffen, fluit
Jochem van Hoogdalem, hoorn
Reggy van Bakel, drums/percussie
Pim van de Werken, bass synth
Arjen van Wijk, vocals

› More info about VanDryver: Cast Out Fear

“I’m going to write you a piece so soft, I don’t care if no one can hear it. And I want to be the first.” Michael Gordon’s response to what to Monica Germino was drastic news —having to protect her hearing by stopping or adapting how she played the violin — was one of optimism and curiosity. 

Inspired by Germino’s courage and determination, four of the world’s leading composers - Michael Gordon, Julia Wolfe and David Lang (co-founders of Bang on a Can)  - have embarked on a collaborative composition, joining forces to create “the quietest violin piece ever written.” Shortly after making this commitment to Germino, they invited Louis Andriessen to join in the experiment, fulfilling a long-held wish to collaborate. Gordon is fascinated by a quieter world, as are Wolfe and Lang. Their collective composition, MUTED, features what Germino calls ‘whisperviolin’ (fluisterviool), and will skirt the limits of audibility for solo violin and voice.  MUTED also includes a part for Monica’s singing voice (in settings of texts from the 1930’s New York Post cult column Archy and Mehitabel.) The piece has been commissioned by a prestigious international consortium of presenters, produced by de Doelen, Rotterdam, and receives its world première on 8 June 2018 at the Netherlands’ Oranjewoud Festival as part of Leeuwarden’s 2018 Cultural Capital of Europe programme.

MUTED will not only take audiences to the thresholds of perceptible sound, it will also be intensely theatrical and conceived for small groups of listeners in intimate, magical spaces. MUTED may owe its origins to four composers paying tribute to the determination of a single musician, but it also forms a reflection on silence, on the act of listening, an antidote to the noise and the ever-increasing clamour of today’s world.

› More info about MUTED (try-out)

After the legendary concert that included Bach’s Goldberg Variations performed by Calefax during the very first edition of the festival in 2012, this internationally renowned reed ensemble is returning to Oranjewoud. Coincidence or not, Bach is on the programme again, this time with ‘Musikalisches Opfer’ in a brand-new arrangement by saxophonist Raaf Hekkema.

‘Musikalisches Opfer’ is a collection of compositions which all have the same famous theme and includes two ricercars (a predecessor of the fugue), a trio sonata and ten canons. Bach wrote this work in 1747 and dedicated it to Frederick II of Prussia. It will be preceded by a new work by Dutch composer Martijn Padding. 

Het wordt voorafgegaan door They are home again! van de Nederlandse componist Martijn Padding. Het werk is een hommage aan de twee schilderijen van Vincent van Gogh die in 2002 uit het museum gestolen werden, en recentelijk teruggevonden.

› More info about Bach's Gift

“I’m going to write you a piece so soft, I don’t care if no one can hear it. And I want to be the first.” Michael Gordon’s response to what to Monica Germino was drastic news —having to protect her hearing by stopping or adapting how she played the violin — was one of optimism and curiosity. 

Inspired by Germino’s courage and determination, four of the world’s leading composers - Michael Gordon, Julia Wolfe and David Lang (co-founders of Bang on a Can)  - have embarked on a collaborative composition, joining forces to create “the quietest violin piece ever written.” Shortly after making this commitment to Germino, they invited Louis Andriessen to join in the experiment, fulfilling a long-held wish to collaborate. Gordon is fascinated by a quieter world, as are Wolfe and Lang. Their collective composition, MUTED, features what Germino calls ‘whisperviolin’ (fluisterviool), and will skirt the limits of audibility for solo violin and voice.  MUTED also includes a part for Monica’s singing voice (in settings of texts from the 1930’s New York Post cult column Archy and Mehitabel.) The piece has been commissioned by a prestigious international consortium of presenters, produced by de Doelen, Rotterdam, and receives its world première on 8 June 2018 at the Netherlands’ Oranjewoud Festival as part of Leeuwarden’s 2018 Cultural Capital of Europe programme.

MUTED will not only take audiences to the thresholds of perceptible sound, it will also be intensely theatrical and conceived for small groups of listeners in intimate, magical spaces. MUTED may owe its origins to four composers paying tribute to the determination of a single musician, but it also forms a reflection on silence, on the act of listening, an antidote to the noise and the ever-increasing clamour of today’s world.

› More info about MUTED (try-out)

Paris. A middle-aged woman has her ex-husband on the phone with whom she had a relationship for five years. He will be getting married to another woman the next day - something that drives the main character to despair. The monologue reveals the woman’s mental collapse that will ultimately lead to her suicide.

This is the general plot of ‘La voix humaine’, originally a play by Jean Cocteau that was later set to music by Françis Poulenc to create a one-act opera. Oranjewoud will be presenting the version for soprano and piano. In collaboration with the festival, Chris Koolmees created a brand-new staging that adds an entirely new dimension to this classic production: the person who becomes detached from society. By means of an interactive screen that serves as both a mirror over a dressing table and a modern communication panel, the main character makes a desperate attempt to keep her connection with the outside world intact but unfortunately fails. The sometimes fine line between phantasy and reality in today’s media that results in alternative truths is depicted here in a real-time selfie film which is actually what this staging makes it.

Sung in French with Dutch subtitles.

This production is being co-funded by the Posthuis Theater Heerenveen.

› More info about La voix humaine (premiere)

Het StarkLinnemann Quartet heeft de werken van Chopin op integere wijze getransformeerd naar de maatstaven van de moderne tijd. Hierdoor ontstaan verrassende klankcombinaties en intrigerende ontmoetingen tussen vernieuwing en traditie, improvisatie en compositie, Cubaanse/Afrikaanse ritmes en nostalgische Poolse melodieën.

› More info about StarkLinnemann Quartet: Transcending Chopin

Het StarkLinnemann Quartet heeft de werken van Chopin op integere wijze getransformeerd naar de maatstaven van de moderne tijd. Hierdoor ontstaan verrassende klankcombinaties en intrigerende ontmoetingen tussen vernieuwing en traditie, improvisatie en compositie, Cubaanse/Afrikaanse ritmes en nostalgische Poolse melodieën.

› More info about StarkLinnemann Quartet: Transcending Chopin

“I’m going to write you a piece so soft, I don’t care if no one can hear it. And I want to be the first." Michael Gordon’s response to what to Monica Germino was drastic news —having to protect her hearing by stopping or adapting how she played the violin — was one of optimism and curiosity.

Four composers

Inspired by Germino’s courage and determination, four of the world’s leading composers - Michael Gordon, Julia Wolfe and David Lang (co-founders of Bang on a Can)  - have embarked on a collaborative composition, joining forces to create “the quietest violin piece ever written.” Shortly after making this commitment to Germino, they invited Louis Andriessen to join in the experiment, fulfilling a long-held wish to collaborate. Gordon is fascinated by a quieter world, as are Wolfe and Lang. Their collective composition, MUTED, features what Germino calls ‘whisperviolin’ (fluisterviool), and will skirt the limits of audibility for solo violin and voice.  MUTED also includes a part for Monica’s singing voice (in settings of texts from the 1930’s New York Post cult column Archy and Mehitabel.)

Antidote

MUTED will not only take audiences to the thresholds of perceptible sound, it will also be intensely theatrical and conceived for small groups of listeners in intimate, magical spaces. MUTED may owe its origins to four composers paying tribute to the determination of a single musician, but it also forms a reflection on silence, on the act of listening, an antidote to the noise and the ever-increasing clamour of today’s world.

World premiere LF2018

The piece has been commissioned by a prestigious international consortium of presenters, produced by de Doelen, Rotterdam, and receives its world première on 8 June 2018 at the Netherlands’ Oranjewoud Festival as part of Leeuwarden’s 2018 European Capital of Culture programme.

› More info about MUTED (world premiere)

Navarra, a British-Irish-Dutch string quartet, is drawing increasing attention both in the Netherlands and abroad. Early in December, they received the prestigious Kersjes Award for their ‘intense and poetic performance that included an exceptionally broad spectrum of colours and dynamics’. 

Following some surprisingly refined opening pieces, the quartet will treat us to Franz Schubert’s masterly last string quartet that clearly refers to his admiration for Beethoven and is even reminiscent of an opera by Rossini. It has to be the most adventurous and wide-ranging of all his quartets; strangely, however, it’s also the least well-known. Combined with the idyllic setting in Park Oranjewoud, this will be an evening to remember. 

› More info about Navarra plays Schubert

‘Moving Letters’ is a brand-new multidisciplinary production at the festival’s most surreal location: The Bubble. This gigantic plastic installation created by the Italian artist Marco Canevacci together with South Korean artist Yena Young and the Plastique Fantastique studio in Berlin consists of a big transparent bubble, a smaller white one, and a ring that serves as a corridor connecting both bubbles. This installation can accommodate 150 people inside it. On the one hand, it creates a close and literal connection with the surrounding natural environment; on the other hand, it also creates just the opposite: an artificial divide. The Bubble is Canevacci's and Young’s way of playing a refined game of inside versus outside, and the natural world versus our human culture.

Together with two other festivals (Oerol and the Grachtenfestival), the Oranjewoud Festival commissioned a young composer by the name of Tijn Wybenga to create a special production that would expose the essence of The Bubble and make use of its many characteristics. His production, ‘Moving Letters’, is about the apparent contrast between the natural world as the source of everything and modern technology with which the human race is increasingly surrounding itself. Lyrics, dance and music reveal a story that confronts us with this contrast, involves us in it, and ultimately reconciles us with it.

› More info about Moving Letters (try-out)

“I’m going to write you a piece so soft, I don’t care if no one can hear it. And I want to be the first.” Michael Gordon’s response to what to Monica Germino was drastic news —having to protect her hearing by stopping or adapting how she played the violin — was one of optimism and curiosity. 

Inspired by Germino’s courage and determination, four of the world’s leading composers - Michael Gordon, Julia Wolfe and David Lang (co-founders of Bang on a Can)  - have embarked on a collaborative composition, joining forces to create “the quietest violin piece ever written.” Shortly after making this commitment to Germino, they invited Louis Andriessen to join in the experiment, fulfilling a long-held wish to collaborate. Gordon is fascinated by a quieter world, as are Wolfe and Lang. Their collective composition, MUTED, features what Germino calls ‘whisperviolin’ (fluisterviool), and will skirt the limits of audibility for solo violin and voice.  MUTED also includes a part for Monica’s singing voice (in settings of texts from the 1930’s New York Post cult column Archy and Mehitabel.) The piece has been commissioned by a prestigious international consortium of presenters, produced by de Doelen, Rotterdam, and receives its world première on 8 June 2018 at the Netherlands’ Oranjewoud Festival as part of Leeuwarden’s 2018 Cultural Capital of Europe programme.

MUTED will not only take audiences to the thresholds of perceptible sound, it will also be intensely theatrical and conceived for small groups of listeners in intimate, magical spaces. MUTED may owe its origins to four composers paying tribute to the determination of a single musician, but it also forms a reflection on silence, on the act of listening, an antidote to the noise and the ever-increasing clamour of today’s world.

› More info about MUTED

Ever since he can remember, composer and bassoonist Burak Özdemir has been fascinated by sound. He records, mixes and distorts it to keep creating new timbres. Exposing Bach combines the expertise possessed by his large ensemble when it comes to giving historically faithful performances on original instruments along with the practically unlimited possibilities of electronics. Daring digital sounds clash or merge with Bach’s love songs so that every aria floats in its own world of sound. Timeless emotions such as love, pain and joy - the same as in the time of Bach - are heard and felt anew.

› More info about Sampling Baroque: Exposing Bach

Ever since he can remember, composer and bassoonist Burak Özdemir has been fascinated by sound. He records, mixes and distorts it to keep creating new timbres. Exposing Bach combines the expertise possessed by his large ensemble when it comes to giving historically faithful performances on original instruments along with the practically unlimited possibilities of electronics. Daring digital sounds clash or merge with Bach’s love songs so that every aria floats in its own world of sound. Timeless emotions such as love, pain and joy - the same as in the time of Bach - are heard and felt anew.

› More info about Sampling Baroque: Exposing Bach

Three players from Coal Harbour, our 2018 edition house band, give acte de présence.

› More info about Coal Harbour Trio

This programme performed by Cordevento offers exquisite little pearls taken from the French Baroque. In the stylistic development of the Baroque, France played a very specific role due to Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King. Even the instruments used by Cordevento had undergone a major development in France. The three-part recorder as we know it today was invented and perfected by the Hotteterre family. The Baroque guitar was so popular that even the Sun King was a talented player. And the French harpsichord repertoire, including the works of Jean-Henri d’Anglebrert, for example, is of the highest conceivable level.

Listen to the stunning subtleties of exciting Baroque dances and limitless ornamentation!

› More info about Délices de France

› More info about Shifting Images

› More info about Noa & Friends

‘Moving Letters’ is a brand-new multidisciplinary production at the festival’s most surreal location: The Bubble. This gigantic plastic installation created by the Italian artist Marco Canevacci together with South Korean artist Yena Young and the Plastique Fantastique studio in Berlin consists of a big transparent bubble, a smaller white one, and a ring that serves as a corridor connecting both bubbles. This installation can accommodate 150 people inside it. On the one hand, it creates a close and literal connection with the surrounding natural environment; on the other hand, it also creates just the opposite: an artificial divide. The Bubble is Canevacci's and Young’s way of playing a refined game of inside versus outside, and the natural world versus our human culture.

Together with two other festivals (Oerol and the Grachtenfestival), the Oranjewoud Festival commissioned a young composer by the name of Tijn Wybenga to create a special production that would expose the essence of The Bubble and make use of its many characteristics. His production, ‘Moving Letters’, is about the apparent contrast between the natural world as the source of everything and modern technology with which the human race is increasingly surrounding itself. Lyrics, dance and music reveal a story that confronts us with this contrast, involves us in it, and ultimately reconciles us with it.

› More info about Moving Letters (premiere)

The versatile and talented clarinetist Michel Marang moves effortlessly between different musical and artistic worlds: chamber music at the highest level, photography combined with contemporary compositions or ... klezmer: festive and melancholic, but always exuberant.

› More info about Michel Marang plays Klezmer

“I’m going to write you a piece so soft, I don’t care if no one can hear it. And I want to be the first.” Michael Gordon’s response to what to Monica Germino was drastic news —having to protect her hearing by stopping or adapting how she played the violin — was one of optimism and curiosity. 

Inspired by Germino’s courage and determination, four of the world’s leading composers - Michael Gordon, Julia Wolfe and David Lang (co-founders of Bang on a Can)  - have embarked on a collaborative composition, joining forces to create “the quietest violin piece ever written.” Shortly after making this commitment to Germino, they invited Louis Andriessen to join in the experiment, fulfilling a long-held wish to collaborate. Gordon is fascinated by a quieter world, as are Wolfe and Lang. Their collective composition, MUTED, features what Germino calls ‘whisperviolin’ (fluisterviool), and will skirt the limits of audibility for solo violin and voice.  MUTED also includes a part for Monica’s singing voice (in settings of texts from the 1930’s New York Post cult column Archy and Mehitabel.) The piece has been commissioned by a prestigious international consortium of presenters, produced by de Doelen, Rotterdam, and receives its world première on 8 June 2018 at the Netherlands’ Oranjewoud Festival as part of Leeuwarden’s 2018 Cultural Capital of Europe programme.

MUTED will not only take audiences to the thresholds of perceptible sound, it will also be intensely theatrical and conceived for small groups of listeners in intimate, magical spaces. MUTED may owe its origins to four composers paying tribute to the determination of a single musician, but it also forms a reflection on silence, on the act of listening, an antidote to the noise and the ever-increasing clamour of today’s world.

› More info about MUTED

Due to his enormous versatility and musical integrity, cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras has enjoyed an impressive reputation for years. He performs all over the world as a soloist with the most famous orchestras and foremost conductors. His fascination for the repertoire written for the cello as a solo instrument, however, inspired him to assemble a programme especially for the Oranjewoud Festival in which Bach’s cello suites form the epicentre. The festival’s BACH, Inc. programme line, which swerves throughout the festival from idiosyncratic transcriptions and graphic projections to electronic interpretations and unconventional instrumentations, ends here with Bach in his purest form.

› More info about BACH Inc.

‘Moving Letters’ is a brand-new multidisciplinary production at the festival’s most surreal location: The Bubble. This gigantic plastic installation created by the Italian artist Marco Canevacci together with South Korean artist Yena Young and the Plastique Fantastique studio in Berlin consists of a big transparent bubble, a smaller white one, and a ring that serves as a corridor connecting both bubbles. This installation can accommodate 150 people inside it. On the one hand, it creates a close and literal connection with the surrounding natural environment; on the other hand, it also creates just the opposite: an artificial divide. The Bubble is Canevacci's and Young’s way of playing a refined game of inside versus outside, and the natural world versus our human culture.

Together with two other festivals (Oerol and the Grachtenfestival), the Oranjewoud Festival commissioned a young composer by the name of Tijn Wybenga to create a special production that would expose the essence of The Bubble and make use of its many characteristics. His production, ‘Moving Letters’, is about the apparent contrast between the natural world as the source of everything and modern technology with which the human race is increasingly surrounding itself. Lyrics, dance and music reveal a story that confronts us with this contrast, involves us in it, and ultimately reconciles us with it.

› More info about Moving Letters

“I’m going to write you a piece so soft, I don’t care if no one can hear it. And I want to be the first.” Michael Gordon’s response to what to Monica Germino was drastic news —having to protect her hearing by stopping or adapting how she played the violin — was one of optimism and curiosity. 

Inspired by Germino’s courage and determination, four of the world’s leading composers - Michael Gordon, Julia Wolfe and David Lang (co-founders of Bang on a Can)  - have embarked on a collaborative composition, joining forces to create “the quietest violin piece ever written.” Shortly after making this commitment to Germino, they invited Louis Andriessen to join in the experiment, fulfilling a long-held wish to collaborate. Gordon is fascinated by a quieter world, as are Wolfe and Lang. Their collective composition, MUTED, features what Germino calls ‘whisperviolin’ (fluisterviool), and will skirt the limits of audibility for solo violin and voice.  MUTED also includes a part for Monica’s singing voice (in settings of texts from the 1930’s New York Post cult column Archy and Mehitabel.) The piece has been commissioned by a prestigious international consortium of presenters, produced by de Doelen, Rotterdam, and receives its world première on 8 June 2018 at the Netherlands’ Oranjewoud Festival as part of Leeuwarden’s 2018 Cultural Capital of Europe programme.

MUTED will not only take audiences to the thresholds of perceptible sound, it will also be intensely theatrical and conceived for small groups of listeners in intimate, magical spaces. MUTED may owe its origins to four composers paying tribute to the determination of a single musician, but it also forms a reflection on silence, on the act of listening, an antidote to the noise and the ever-increasing clamour of today’s world.

› More info about MUTED

During the Night of the Park, you’ll enter an enchanting world where light is supplanted by darkness, dreams merge with reality, and silence makes way for amazing sounds. Mini-concerts will be performed throughout the enchantingly illuminated Overtuin. As midnight approaches, everyone will gather for the Midnight Concert with a performance of Unremembered composed by Sarah Kirkland Snider. A meditation on memory, innocence, and the haunted grandeur of the natural world, listening to this piece is like looking at the world through the eyes of a child in preparation for the sometimes terrifying events to be faced as an adult.

› More info about Night of the Park

Time and attention are scarce. How do we actually distribute it amongst ourselves, others and all kinds of social issues that concern us? Chanting Forest is a composition in the making by Diederik Rijpstra who tries to find the answer to this question. You can read exactly how here. It’s a musical installation with a choir, in which you as an audience member walk through blindfolded.

Forest of singers

The choir is arranged in an area with the choir members placed about two metres apart. This creates a kind of forest of singers with enough space for you to move between them.

Research

In this pilot, the composer researches three parts of the musical piece:

1. Lux Silentiosa - In this part of the research, Diederik wants to influence you as little as possible. He wants to give your imagination as much space as possible.
2. Parade - During this composition he wants to try out a lot of elements that could excite you.
3. Who Guides? - In this piece, Diederik wants to research the effect on the music and your experience when you have an influence on the music.

› More info about Chanting Forest (pilot)

‘Moving Letters’ is a brand-new multidisciplinary production at the festival’s most surreal location: The Bubble. This gigantic plastic installation created by the Italian artist Marco Canevacci together with South Korean artist Yena Young and the Plastique Fantastique studio in Berlin consists of a big transparent bubble, a smaller white one, and a ring that serves as a corridor connecting both bubbles. This installation can accommodate 150 people inside it. On the one hand, it creates a close and literal connection with the surrounding natural environment; on the other hand, it also creates just the opposite: an artificial divide. The Bubble is Canevacci's and Young’s way of playing a refined game of inside versus outside, and the natural world versus our human culture.

Together with two other festivals (Oerol and the Grachtenfestival), the Oranjewoud Festival commissioned a young composer by the name of Tijn Wybenga to create a special production that would expose the essence of The Bubble and make use of its many characteristics. His production, ‘Moving Letters’, is about the apparent contrast between the natural world as the source of everything and modern technology with which the human race is increasingly surrounding itself. Lyrics, dance and music reveal a story that confronts us with this contrast, involves us in it, and ultimately reconciles us with it.

› More info about Moving Letters

Imagine this: You’re sitting down and calmly breathing in and out while listening to the enchanting sounds of a guitar and other instruments. Once you’re lying down, completely relaxed on your yoga mat, you hear a soft voice leading you into meditation. Welcome to ‘Yoga in Concert!’

‘Yoga in Concert’ is an idea developed by Jan Kuiper, a guitarist, writer and yogi. He and his partner, Yvonne de Hoop, have been giving sensational yoga concerts for several years now. ‘Yoga in Concert’ is a unique experience combining yoga and music. Yoga positions, musical sounds and meditation converge during this special concert. Experience it as you like: participate actively on your own yoga mat, lean back and relax while listening to the beautiful music, or do some of each. During the class, we’ll take you along in a flow of movement, breathing and relaxation. No ‘Yoga in Concert’ is ever the same. The content, dynamics and atmosphere of the yoga classes are determined by the location, the musicians and the theme. Jan and Yvonne will take you on a unique inner journey.

The content of the classes is suitable for all levels of yoga practice, including beginners. The yoga class will be held in the Overtuin if the weather is nice or in Tjaarda if the weather is cool or rainy.

› More info about Yoga in concert

Time and attention are scarce. How do we actually distribute it amongst ourselves, others and all kinds of social issues that concern us? Chanting Forest is a composition in the making by Diederik Rijpstra who tries to find the answer to this question. You can read exactly how here. It’s a musical installation with a choir, in which you as an audience member walk through blindfolded.

Forest of singers

The choir is arranged in an area with the choir members placed about two metres apart. This creates a kind of forest of singers with enough space for you to move between them.

Research

In this pilot, the composer researches three parts of the musical piece:

1. Lux Silentiosa - In this part of the research, Diederik wants to influence you as little as possible. He wants to give your imagination as much space as possible.
2. Parade - During this composition he wants to try out a lot of elements that could excite you.
3. Who Guides? - In this piece, Diederik wants to research the effect on the music and your experience when you have an influence on the music.

› More info about Chanting Forest (pilot)

Noa Wildschut is not only an exceptional violinist but also a writer of wonderful poetry. Her love of language has made her a great admirer of award-winning author Joke van Leeuwen. It now appears that this is a mutual admiration has led to a collaboration especially developed for the Oranjewoud Festival. Noa is joined by other prominent young musicians in playing some of her favourite pieces. In her typically original and humorous style, Joke frames the music with words to draw in the audience. The result is a gem of a performance sure to be enjoyed by young and old alike.

› More info about Tinteltijd (bis)

‘Moving Letters’ is a brand-new multidisciplinary production at the festival’s most surreal location: The Bubble. This gigantic plastic installation created by the Italian artist Marco Canevacci together with South Korean artist Yena Young and the Plastique Fantastique studio in Berlin consists of a big transparent bubble, a smaller white one, and a ring that serves as a corridor connecting both bubbles. This installation can accommodate 150 people inside it. On the one hand, it creates a close and literal connection with the surrounding natural environment; on the other hand, it also creates just the opposite: an artificial divide. The Bubble is Canevacci's and Young’s way of playing a refined game of inside versus outside, and the natural world versus our human culture.

Together with two other festivals (Oerol and the Grachtenfestival), the Oranjewoud Festival commissioned a young composer by the name of Tijn Wybenga to create a special production that would expose the essence of The Bubble and make use of its many characteristics. His production, ‘Moving Letters’, is about the apparent contrast between the natural world as the source of everything and modern technology with which the human race is increasingly surrounding itself. Lyrics, dance and music reveal a story that confronts us with this contrast, involves us in it, and ultimately reconciles us with it.

› More info about Moving Letters

In an underground air raid shelter, cellist Katharina Gross, composer/percussionist Arnold Marinissen, visual artist Giny Vos and set designer Noor Stenfert Kroese will present ‘Pitch Dark’. In an interplay of light and music, Gross and Marinissen weave musical threads with new work while light movements and objects produced by Vos & Kroese take on the roles of actors. A feeling of intimacy and elusiveness develop from merging the sounds of an acoustic cello, electronics, percussion instruments, field recordings and musique concrete. Instrument builder Rob van den Broek created a 12-string cello especially for ‘Pitch Dark’.

The manifestations of light in ‘Pitch Dark’ are based on the neurophysiological effects seen when you close your eyes: images, after-images and movements that form on the inside of your eyelids. These phenomena are the basis for the light installation created by Giny Vos and Noor Stenfert Kroese. An interplay of acoustic, optic and spatial stimuli play with our powers of perception in the dark.

Extra: take a look at Rob van den Broek’s other cello-like creations in the exhibition especially created for the festival and showing in Museum Belvédère.

› More info about Pitch Dark

The Coal Harbour sextet conveys a unique and compelling sound to the listener. The music has been written based on personal experiences, with which the band takes you on an intriguing musical journey. Come and listen to the musical playground that Coal Harbour has to offer.

› More info about Coal Harbour Sextet

After Van Baerle (performing in 2016) and Wanderer (in 2017), the Storioni Trio is the third famous piano trio to appear at the Oranjewoud Festival. Their entire programme will be composed of works by Beethoven and will include two trios that you don’t hear that often but are no less sublime for all that.

Beethoven wrote his ‘Fourteen Variations, Opus 44 (variations for piano trio) when he was 22. As a starting point, he used a popular theme from the opera ‘Das Rote Käppchen’ by Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf. Beethoven’s second symphony is one of the last works in his ‘early period’. By replacing the usual minuet by a scherzo, he gave the piece extra pizzazz. An unusual aspect of this work is that the composer also wrote a version for piano trio that will be played during this concert.

› More info about Beethoven rules

Time and attention are scarce. How do we actually distribute it amongst ourselves, others and all kinds of social issues that concern us? Chanting Forest is a composition in the making by Diederik Rijpstra who tries to find the answer to this question. You can read exactly how here. It’s a musical installation with a choir, in which you as an audience member walk through blindfolded.

Forest of singers

The choir is arranged in an area with the choir members placed about two metres apart. This creates a kind of forest of singers with enough space for you to move between them.

Research

In this pilot, the composer researches three parts of the musical piece:

1. Lux Silentiosa - In this part of the research, Diederik wants to influence you as little as possible. He wants to give your imagination as much space as possible.
2. Parade - During this composition he wants to try out a lot of elements that could excite you.
3. Who Guides? - In this piece, Diederik wants to research the effect on the music and your experience when you have an influence on the music.

› More info about Chanting Forest (pilot)

In an underground air raid shelter, cellist Katharina Gross, composer/percussionist Arnold Marinissen, visual artist Giny Vos and set designer Noor Stenfert Kroese will present ‘Pitch Dark’. In an interplay of light and music, Gross and Marinissen weave musical threads with new work while light movements and objects produced by Vos & Kroese take on the roles of actors. A feeling of intimacy and elusiveness develop from merging the sounds of an acoustic cello, electronics, percussion instruments, field recordings and musique concrete. Instrument builder Rob van den Broek created a 12-string cello especially for ‘Pitch Dark’.

The manifestations of light in ‘Pitch Dark’ are based on the neurophysiological effects seen when you close your eyes: images, after-images and movements that form on the inside of your eyelids. These phenomena are the basis for the light installation created by Giny Vos and Noor Stenfert Kroese. An interplay of acoustic, optic and spatial stimuli play with our powers of perception in the dark.

Extra: take a look at Rob van den Broek’s other cello-like creations in the exhibition especially created for the festival and showing in Museum Belvédère.

› More info about Pitch Dark

In an underground air raid shelter, cellist Katharina Gross, composer/percussionist Arnold Marinissen, visual artist Giny Vos and set designer Noor Stenfert Kroese will present ‘Pitch Dark’. In an interplay of light and music, Gross and Marinissen weave musical threads with new work while light movements and objects produced by Vos & Kroese take on the roles of actors. A feeling of intimacy and elusiveness develop from merging the sounds of an acoustic cello, electronics, percussion instruments, field recordings and musique concrete. Instrument builder Rob van den Broek created a 12-string cello especially for ‘Pitch Dark’.

The manifestations of light in ‘Pitch Dark’ are based on the neurophysiological effects seen when you close your eyes: images, after-images and movements that form on the inside of your eyelids. These phenomena are the basis for the light installation created by Giny Vos and Noor Stenfert Kroese. An interplay of acoustic, optic and spatial stimuli play with our powers of perception in the dark.

Extra: take a look at Rob van den Broek’s other cello-like creations in the exhibition especially created for the festival and showing in Museum Belvédère.

› More info about Pitch Dark

Pynarello describes itself as a club of rebels that blows in like a whirlwind through a china shop. Classical music doesn’t have to remain the same: it can be more exciting, more spontaneous, more direct, and doesn’t need a conductor or sheet music. Pynarello: the next generation.

During the closing Prinsenwijk Concert, this club of rebels will have a special encounter with Nynke Laverman, one of Friesland’s most colourful singers. You’ll hear Mendelssohn and Ravel as well as a colourful medley of songs like the LF2018 theme song, ‘Seis Oere Thús’ (Home at Six), ‘Little Water’ and ‘Hallelujah’. Classical meets pop - Europe meets Friesland.

› More info about Pynarello meets Nynke Laverman (Prinsenwijkconcert)

With VANBINSBERGEN PLAYSTATION Corrie van Binsbergen picks up the threads of her instrumental earlier bands. After twelve years of mainly focusing on projects with literature and composing for large contemporary ensembles, theater and film, the time was ripe for this energetic all-star superband. Like before there are no boundaries, no limiting styles, but her own: energetic, bold and playful. The music an extremely agreeable and happy amalgam of suspenseful antitheses. Like a fan on facebook reacted: This is the most incredible music. Bebop with a modern twist, I am an instant fan!

The band had a fantastic first tour that started at Jazz in Duketown May 2015 and went on until North Sea July 2016. Public and press are super enthusiastic. Read the reviews under press. Their first album LIVE was nominated for the Edison Publieksprijs 2016.

In spring 2017 they launched their second concept album TALES WITHOUT WORDS.

› More info about Playstation