PROGRAM
This special event in the heart of Amsterdam brings the most beautiful sounds to the picturesque Amstelveld. Enjoy two days full of surprising performances by both renowned musicians and promising talents.
All concerts are freely accessible.
Program subject to changes
Ab Nieuwdorp
Presentator NPO Klassiek | De Klassieken
Tatiana Chevtchouk
Founder KOHA and Artistic Director
FRIDAY / 20 SEPTEMBER
PRESENTERS
Tatiana Chevtchouk and Ab Nieuwdorp jointly present the festival. As the well-known voice of De Klassieken, Ab Nieuwdorp will guide you through the programme. Not only through his musical knowledge, but also through his charming way of presenting, he puts the musicians at ease and always keeps the audience captivated. Tatiana Chevtchouk not only knows the programme inside out, but also all the special features the musicians have to offer. With her great passion for finding and supporting young talent, she has now been providing a stage where the most extraordinary musical connections take place for 12 years. Her vision of having young talent play together with great masters and orchestras makes the program varied and surprising.
6:00 PM
6:30 PM
Osimun Quartet | Diego Dávila (soprano saxophone), Fátima Alcázar (alto saxophone), Inés González (tenor saxophone), Ricard Martínez (baritone saxophone)
A. Glazunov (1865-1936) | Quartet for Saxophone
F. Mendelssohn (1805-1847) | "Song without Words"
J. Perez Villegas (1994-) | Only the Mystery
KOHA's first encounter with this quartet was during the Storioni Competition in 2023. Artistic director Tatiana Chevtchouk was on the jury and was impressed by their passionate performance. She immediately invited the Osimun Quartet to perform at the festival. The program 'Homages' is dedicated to three composers who in turn dedicated these pieces to others. For instance, Glazunov composed two movements of the saxophone quartet in the style of Schumann and Chopin. Fanny Mendelssohn dedicated her song to her brother Felix. Finally, Villegas pays homage to the poet Federico García Lorca by basing some of his pieces on Lorca's poems.
Homages
Vivaldi Recomposed
Stift Festival Orchestra conducted by Daniel Rowland side-by-side with Nina Broeva (violin), Kurt Falzon (violin), Claire Schuurmans (harp)
M.Richter (1966,-) | The New Four Seasons
Daniel Rowland has been a guest at the festival several times as a soloist. This year he brings his festival orchestra to Amsterdam. Just like KOHA, he strongly believes in guiding and supporting young classical talent. As founder of the Stift Festival in Twente, he has already taken many young talents under his wing. It's great that KOHA's young talents are now also getting this opportunity. Young violinists Nina Broeva and Kurt Falzon, like harpist Claire Schuurmans get to play with the Stift Festival Orchestra. They perform Max Richter's Seasons, an energetic and evocative masterpiece inspired by Vivaldi's world-famous Four Seasons.
Spirit of the Balkan
Ensemble RAMO RAMO | Lea Kenny (violin), Esther Kenny (violin), Jacob Reaves (bouzouki), Marit Nubé (clarinet), Eve Oostendorp (clarinet), Kai Rook (clarinet), Luit van Wees (double bass)
Folk music
RAMO RAMO has been playing together in various formations since 2012 and consists of amateur musicians who study biotechnology and Life Sciences and Technology, among other things. The bouzouki player Jakob Reaves previously played as a cellist with the North Holland Youth Orchestra, which will also play during this edition of Klassiek op het Amstelveld; a beautiful reunion! He discovered the bouzouki a year and a half ago and has made this traditional instrument his own. Together with other lovers of klezmer and folk music, they meet weekly. How wonderful that these young people have found each other to play their favorite music and even make their own arrangements on old folk music.
07:00 PM
3:15 PM
04:00 PM
Enzo Kok (violin), Charlotte Brussee (cello), Maxim Heijmerink (piano)
J.Brahms (1833-1897) | Piano Trio No. 1 in B minor, Op.8
Maxim took part in our Open Podium as a 12-year-old boy. He has since become a promising young pianist and has now been invited to the main program of Klassiek op het Amstelveld. This time he comes together with his friends from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam with whom he forms the Van Gogh Trio. They will play part of their programme ‘Love Triangle’ with music by Johannes Brahms and Clara and Robert Schumann. Brahms wrote the Piano Trio when he was about the same age as Enzo, Charlotte and Maxim and you will clearly hear the youthful zest for life in the music.
Van Gogh Trio
Spirit of the Balkan
Ensemble RAMO RAMO | Lea Kenny (violin), Esther Kenny (violin), Jacob Reaves (bouzouki), Marit Nubé (clarinet), Eve Oostendorp (clarinet), Kai Rook (clarinet), Luit van Wees (double bass)
Folk music
RAMO RAMO has been playing together in various formations since 2012 and consists of amateur musicians who study biotechnology and Life Sciences and Technology, among other things. The bouzouki player Jakob Reaves previously played as a cellist with the North Holland Youth Orchestra, which will also play during this edition of Klassiek op het Amstelveld; a beautiful reunion! He discovered the bouzouki a year and a half ago and has made this traditional instrument his own. Together with other lovers of klezmer and folk music, they meet weekly. How wonderful that these young people have found each other to play their favorite music and even make their own arrangements on old folk music.
Voices from the Wind
PHOS Trio | Kristine Beitika (flute), Santiago Lurueña (clarinet), Orfeas Demis (piano)
Improvisation with an audience
A. Khachaturian (1903-1978) | Trio for clarinet, flute and piano, 3rd movement
P. Schoenfield(1947-2024) | Arr.Trio for clarinet, violin, piano, 2nd and 1st movement
F. Poulenc (1899-1963) | Tango “L'Invitation au Château”
The PHOS Trio likes to make contact with the audience and does a lot of improvisation with audience input. They want to break through the conventional forms of classical music and reveal the essence of the music. They are looking for a sound that combines the finesse of classical music with classical music inspired by folk music.
4:30 PM
5:00 PM
6:00 PM
Dutch National Opera Academy | Thalia Cook-Hansen (soprano), Henrik Enger Holm (tenor), Wessel Wirken (baritone)
Iason Tzanakos (violin), Duleen van Gunsteren (violin), Elaine Ng (viola), Stefano Bruno (cello), Judith Capelle (double bass), Cèlia Tort Pujol (oboe), Ruben Hudnik (horn)
W.A. Mozart (1756-1791) | Bastien and Bastienne
Conductor: Christina Domnick
A unique opportunity for everyone to experience live opera! Master students tell the comic love story of Bastien and Bastienne while singing, an opera Mozart wrote when he was only 12 years old. The children who listened to the story of the Forest Girl in the afternoon can now hear what this child prodigy composed so young. After last year's great success, I am very happy that we are continuing our collaboration with the Dutch National Opera Academy. This year, too, we managed to put together a great ensemble of musicians to perform this opera together with the singers.
Opera on the Amstelveld
Rising Star
Yulianna Beziazychna
F. Chopin (1810-1849) | Mazurka Op. 6, no. 2 in C-sharp minor
F. Chopin (1810-1849) | Mazurka Op. 7 No. 1 in B-flat Major
F. Chopin (1810-1849) | Mazurka Op. 24, no. 2 in C Major
S. Prokofiev (1891-1953) Juliet as a young girl from Romeo and Juliet Op. 75
F. Liszt (1811-1986) | Grande Etude de Paganini S. 141, No. 4 in E Major
E. Grieg (1843-1907) | Carnival Scene Op. 19, no. 3
We are very happy to once again give the stage to this rising star: 10-year-old Yulianna from Ukraine. She can rightly be called a child prodigy. Yulianna has won many international prestigious awards in recent years. Last year I invited her as a soloist with Sinfonia Rotterdam. She also decided to take the opportunity to perform with the Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra and participated in the Spotlight Competition, which she won with flying colors. For example, we saw Yulianna no less than twice last year on the stage of Klassiek on the Amstelveld.
Rhythmical Rendezvous
Kalina Vladovska & Gonçalo Martins
Percussion
A rousing interlude of percussion, song and dance by these two young master students from Portugal and Bulgaria, who met at the conservatory in The Hague. They know how to get everyone moving to their infectious rhythms of the tupan and the sabar.
6:30 PM
6:00 PM
CURIOUS ABOUT FOOD & DRINKS DURING THE FESTIVAL?
Follow the festival
1:00 PM
2:00 PM
Netherlands Youth String Orchestra conducted by Carel den Hertog | Izhar Elias | Adi Ganesh | Helena Mulder | Can Tezel | Sijbrand Loot
Triomphe et Enchantement conducted by Frank Perenboom
G. Sanz (1640-1710) | Baroque dances
J. Rodrigo (1901-1999) | Fantasa para un gentilhombre: Villano Ricercare , Españoleta y Fanfare de Caballería de Nápoles, Danza de las Hachas, Canario
Teacher Izhar Elias performs Caspar Sanz's original dances from the 17th century combined with Rodrigo's 1954 version. He plays the original version even dancing as it was done at the time. Then his students play Rodrigo's version, accompanied by the Dutch Youth String Orchestra. Izhar: ‘A boyhood dream for many guitarists is to be allowed to solo with an orchestra. Such an experience shapes you for the rest of your musical life’. We enjoy presenting the beautiful sounds of the Spanish guitar to our audience, especially in combination with the dancers of Triomphe et Enchantement.’
Gitaar Extravaganza
KOHA’s Young Talents
Fumiko Hirano (7 years old, violin, winner of the Audience Award KOHA Open Stage) A. Curci (1886-1973) | Ciarda
Accompanied on piano by Noriko Yabe
Gennaro Cimafonte (11 years old, piano, winner of the Smile Competition) W.A. Mozart (1756-1791) | Piano Sonata No. 7 in C Major KV309 "Allegro con Spirito" A. Copland (1900-1990) | The Cat and the Mouse
Keshav Krishnan (11 years old, piano, winner of the Smile Competition)
R. Schumann (1810-1856) | Träumerei from Kinderszenen, Op. 15, No. 7
J. Haydn (1732-1809) | Sonata Hob. XVI/23 in F Major, 1st movement
Aleksandr Zavyalov (19 years old, piano, winner of the Audience Award KOHA Open Stage)
S. Bortkiewicz (1877-1952) | Etüde in Des-Majeur Op. 15, Nr. 8 „Lamentoso con gran espressione“
Duo Tiaire (finalist Princess Christina Competition) Claire Schuurmans (harp) & Tiago Luís Henriques (cello) C. Debussy (1862-1918) | Beau Soir A. Pärt (1935-) | Fratres K.M. Murphy (1964-) | Si Veriash a la Rana
As a platform for young classical talent, we of course also give the youngest musicians the opportunity to perform at Klassiek op het Amstelveld. This year, the youngest musician is only seven years old! All these musicians are winners or finalists of a competition or have won the Audience Award at KOHA's Open Stage. Who knows, we might see one of these young talents shine in the great concert halls in the future!
Intermezzo | Vershe
Ukrainian Choir Vershe conducted by Viktor Lashchynski
Folk songs
Last year this choir was invited for the first time and this year they are coming especially from Germany for a performance. They made a great impression on the audience and moved people to tears. The choir consists of people who fled the war in Ukraine and now live in Germany. They sing together out of nostalgia for their native country and to support each other. They also want to let Ukrainian folk music live on so that traditions are not lost.
2:15 PM
8:00 PM
8:30 PM
Kalina Vladovska & Gonçalo Martins
Percussion
A rousing interlude of percussion, song and dance by these two young master students from Portugal and Bulgaria, who met at the conservatory in The Hague. They know how to get everyone moving to their infectious rhythms of the tupan and the sabar.
Rhythmical Rendezvous
Tsjaikovski’s Fifth
Noordhollands Youth Orchestra conducted by Bas Pollard
P.I. Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) | Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64
A symphony by Tchaikovsky is something you must hear live at least once in your life. Even for those not familiar with classical music, it is truly a unique experience to witness this in the evening at the beautifully illuminated Amstelveld. Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony is regarded as one of his absolute masterpieces. It is a great challenge for the young orchestra members to bring to life the mature emotions that Tchaikovsky expresses through the music. Conductor Bas Pollard will lead the orchestra to an unforgettable performance.
Bruch Violin Concerto
Noordhollands Youth Orchestra conducted by Bas Pollard | Hawijch Elders
C. Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) | "Danse Bacchanale" Op. 47 from Samson and Delilah
M. Bruch (1838-1920) | Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 26
This youth orchestra holds a special place at KOHA. Under the inspiring leadership of Bas Pollard, this orchestra always turns their performance at the Amstelveld into a celebration. Each year, they perform with a different top soloist, and this year it is none other than violinist Hawijch Elders. In recent years, Hawijch has developed from an emerging talent into a highly sought-after violinist. Bruch's Violin Concerto is one of the most beautiful violin concertos, and we expect a spectacular performance.
9:00 PM
SATURDAY / 21 SEPTEMBER
7:00 PM
20:00 PM
In vuur en vlam! (On fire!)
Britten Youth String Orchestra conducted by Loes Visser
G. Bizet (1838-1875) | R.Schtschedrin (1932-) Carmen Suite
The program includes the Carmen Suite by Russian composer Rodion Schtschedrin for string orchestra and 5 percussionists. Schtschedrin wrote it in 1967 as ballet music for his wife prima ballerina assoluta Maya Plisetskaya. The music, borrowed from Bizet's opera Carmen is not a 19th-century pastiche, but rather "a creative meeting of minds" - as Schtschedrin put it - in which Bizet's melodies have been recast in a variety of fresh instrumental colours with, sometimes humorously, the addition of percussion. Initially, the ballet was banned by the Soviet hierarchy for being 'disrespectful' to opera precisely because of these qualities. Since then, it has become Schtschedrin's most famous wo
Intermezzo | Vershe
Ukrainian Choir Vershe conducted by Viktor Lashchynski
Folk songs
Last year this choir was invited for the first time and this year they are coming especially from Germany for a performance. They made a great impression on the audience and moved people to tears. The choir consists of people who fled the war in Ukraine and now live in Germany. They sing together out of nostalgia for their native country and to support each other. They also want to let Ukrainian folk music live on so that traditions are not lost.
Classic meets Hiphop!
Levi Schechtmann
Levi Schechtmann presents his unique Classical x HipHop - fusion live, on Stage. Be curious to hear his colorful reinterpretations of famous pieces by Bach, Liszt, Chopin and more.
Levi has previously been seen during Klassiek op het Amstelveld; In 2016 he won a performance in the Open Podium as a prize at a competition. However, he was so good that he was allowed to perform in the main program. He made a great impression on the audience with music by Chopin and Liszt. Now Levi is making waves with his own arrangements in which he combines classical music with hip-hop elements. This will be an absolute highlight of the festival!
8:30 PM
9:00 PM
9:15 PM
Young Talent Orchestra conducted by Mikhail Zemtsov & Vincent Opheikens (15 years, guitar)
H. Zimmer (1957,-) | He's a Pirate from Pirates of the Caribbean
J. Rodrigo (1901-1999) | Concerto di Aranjuez, 2nd movement
Romance on Saturday evening: take your loved one to the Amstelveld because this music is made for lovers! When you hear the first sounds of the Concerto di Aranjuez, we are sure you will recognize it. It is perhaps the most famous guitar music ever written. Vincent has been invited to play this beautiful music because we are confident that, despite his young age, he will do justice to this piece.
La Guitarra Romántica
Grande Finale
Young Talent Orchestra conducted by Mikhail Zemtsov, Amsterdam Opera Choir conducted by Ago Verdonschot, Ukrainian Choir Vershe conducted by Viktor Lashchynski
E. Morricone (1928-2020) | Once upon a time in the west
G. Verdi (1813-1901) | Slave Chorus from the opera Nabucco
Since the very first edition of Klassiek op het Amstelveld, the festival ends on Saturday evening with the joint singing of the Slave Chorus. This tradition was created as a counterpoint to the announced cuts to culture. Now, in 2024, it is once again a major issue in the classical music world. In July, the state subsidies were announced for the next four years, and there has been a veritable haircut in classical music. The future of classical music in the Netherlands is at stake. Youth orchestras, youth choirs and competitions will no longer receive government support. This year too, let's make our voices heard from the Amstelveld as a protest against this policy!
Beethoven Triple Concerto
Young Talent Orchestra conducted by Mikhail Zemtsov, Anna Fedorova, David Cohen, Rimma Benyumova
L. van Beethoven (1770-1827) | Triple Concerto with violin, cello and piano Op. 56 in C Major
The Triple Beethoven Concert had long been on the wish list for Classical Music on the Amstelveld. For the young musicians of the Young Talent Orchestra it is a great challenge and an inspiration to play with top soloists Anna Fedorova, David Cohen and Rimma Benyumova. A concerto with three soloists is quite rare and is also challenging for soloists to play, especially if, as in this concert, the three soloists have to come from different countries. Anna Fedorova has already performed several times during Klassiek op het Amstelveld; she shares our mission to help young talents in their development. She is the founder of the Davidsbündler Music Academy, where Yulianna Beziazychna, among others, teaches.
