Miroslav Petkov is the principal trumpeter of the Concertgebouw Orchestra. In addition to classical music, this versatile musician is also at home in other musical styles, ranging from folk music to free improvisation and jazz. In this concert, Petkov challenges his potential successors—the best young brass players in the Netherlands, who together form the National Youth Brass Band.

‘I’m looking forward to meeting these eager young musicians. We already know they play well, but how will they handle the irregular rhythms of the Balkans? I’m very curious,’ said Petkov. This concert is sure to be the most cheerful and boisterous program in this series!

Many Dutch people associate Brazil primarily with soccer, but the country has so much more to offer. Musicians from the Concertgebouw Orchestra will join forces with the band Olaiá Music on a musical journey to discover both well-known and lesser-known gems from Brazil’s rich musical culture. After the performance, enjoy cocktails and let loose to live music in the foyer. 

Michael Gieler, artistic director of IJ-Salon: ‘In recent years, Olaiá Music has emerged as a source of joy and captivating music-making. If you really want to experience what it’s like when the house goes wild, don’t just watch their many videos online—come see for yourself how they throw a party together with our musicians.’

 

 

 

Amsterdam is a hotspot for jazz and free improvisation. Here, enthusiasts can encounter not only international greats but also the most interesting up-and-coming talents. We’ve invited a number of them to challenge musicians from the Concertgebouw Orchestra in a genre that’s new to them. In addition to improvised music, the program features works by Bartók and Satie.

Michael Gieler, artistic director of IJ-Salon: ‘Sun-Mi Hong is a fascinating musician and composer. Through her own efforts and passion alone, she has broken free from her background to become one of the most formidable young musicians to have settled in Amsterdam. Her music is subtle and multi-layered. She draws her inspiration from the great French composers and Béla Bartók.’

The Cuban capital, Havana, lives and breathes music. Under the Caribbean sun, a spirited people use their music to brave the hardships that life throws their way. The cheerfulness and humor of Cuban music make for a festive end to 2021. A mini-festival featuring music ranging from the early Baroque composers who emigrated from Spain, through the distinctive sounds of the zarzuela (Spanish-language operetta), to the music of today. The event will conclude with a spectacular dance party in the Entrance Hall.

Michael Gieler, artistic director of Music Stages: 'Mirelys Morgan joined the Concertgebouw Orchestra a few years ago. She had a sweet, charming sound. Her body sometimes seemed fluid, so relaxed. My fascination with Cuba and the Caribbean began upon her arrival. Soon after, I met a very talented young Dutch conductor, Leonard Evers. He too had a great interest in Cuba and is full of wonderful ideas. We're teaming up to throw an unforgettable end-of-year party.’

 

Program

Click on the concert of your choice for more information and tickets. Tip! If you order tickets for multiple concerts at the festival at the same time, you'll receive a nice combo discount.

• 2:15 p.m. | Our Life in Havana >
  Lecture-recital by Cuban sisters
  Mirelys Morgan and Madarys Morgan

Violinist Mirelys Morgan and pianist Madarys Morgan are top Cuban musicians—and sisters. As part of the Noches de la Habana mini-festival, Mirelys and Madarys Morgan will present a lecture-recital in the Kleine Zaal, featuring Cuban repertoire for violin and piano.

• 3:30 p.m. | Cuba After Castro >
  Film and Lecture
  Yuribert Capetillo Hardy

In the VPRO's four-part travel series *Cuba After Castro* The film follows Cuban-Dutch filmmaker Yuribert Capetillo Hardy during his emotionally charged return to his homeland. In his talk, the talented filmmaker discusses the making of the series and shows key moments from it. He also talks about recent developments since he made his trip to Cuba.

• 4:00 p.m. | Free salsa class for beginners in the Entrance Hall >

• 5:30 p.m. | Cuba After Castro >
  Film and Lecture
  Yuribert Capetillo Hardy

In the VPRO's four-part travel series *Cuba After Castro* The film follows Cuban-Dutch filmmaker Yuribert Capetillo Hardy during his emotionally charged return to his homeland. In his talk, the talented filmmaker discusses the making of the series and shows key moments from it. He also talks about recent developments since he made his trip to Cuba.

• 6:00 p.m. | Free salsa class in the Entrance Hall for advanced dancers >

• 8:00 p.m. | Noches de la Habana Celebration Concert >
  Cuban Music from Four Centuries
  Roig, Lecuona, Salas and Castro, Valle, et al.

The Cuban capital, Havana, lives and breathes music. Under the Caribbean sun, a lively people use their music to brave the hardships that life throws their way. The cheerfulness and humor of Cuban music make for a festive concert with a spectacular afterparty.

• 10:30 p.m. | Afterparty in the Entrance Hall with a salsa band >

 

Bijlmer Klassiek is back at CEC Meets with a wonderful concert featuring string quartets by Borodin and Haydn and a new work by Berima Amo.

The musicians of the Schoch Quartet came together during difficult times. While the cultural world was still confined to their homes, the four musicians from the Concertgebouw Orchestra decided to start making music again. They found inspiration and solace in the most beautiful music there is: the classical string quartet. The program features one of Haydn’s last string quartets and Alexander Borodin’s Second String Quartet, with its famous slow movement in which the violin and cello tell a true love story. During this concert, the brand-new work Son of Love by the Ghanaian-Dutch composer and Southeast resident Berima Amo will have its world premiere. While writing the piece, he was inspired by the sound of the kora, an instrument played by various tribes in northern Ghana. Two young talents from Southeast Amsterdam—a true musical goldmine—will also be making an appearance. Destin Rusland is an up-and-coming pianist who blends hip-hop with classical music. Joni Frans is a vocalist with a distinctive voice that she combines with neo-soul, pop, and R&B. In short: a quartet concert featuring

Come enjoy this evening edition of Bijlmer Klassiek at CEC Meets.

The vibrant Amsterdam-Zuidoost district boasts a rich musical culture unlike any other: from gospel to Ghanaian highlife music. For more than ten years, Music Stages has been organizing the Bijlmer Klassiek series in the district and is expanding this series with special events, where the audience is surprised time and again with spectacular crossover concerts. In this crossover concert, “Homage to Zuidoost,” musicians from the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra will collaborate with the “Dutch Queen of Soul” Shirma Rouse, the popular ZO! Gospel Choir, and the multi-talented Berima Amo.

The program naturally features upbeat gospel songs, but the choir also embraces crossover with classical music and will perform, among other pieces, the magnificent Ave Verum by Mozart. There is a long-standing collaboration with Berima Amo, the world-class Dutch-Ghanaian singer, trumpeter, and composer, who will present his first composition featuring soloist Shirma Rouse and the ZO! Gospel Choir.  This work draws on influences from both the Ghanaian vocal tradition and elements of gospel, bringing classical music and gospel together in a fresh way.

With thanks to the Amsterdam Fund for the Arts, the Performing Arts Fund, Zabawas, and the Amsterdam Zuidoost District. Bijlmer Klassiek is a co-production of Music Stages and the Bijlmer Parktheater; the IJ-Salon is a co-production of Music Stages and the Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ.

Due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 measures, this concert has been rescheduled for October 8, 2022, and will serve as the festive opening of our new musical season. Ticket holders will be notified.

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The Cuban capital, Havana, lives and breathes music. Under the Caribbean sun, a spirited people use their music to brave the hardships that life throws their way. The cheerfulness and humor of Cuban music make for a festive end to 2021. A mini-festival featuring music ranging from the early Baroque composers who emigrated from Spain, through the distinctive sounds of the zarzuela (Spanish-language operetta), to the music of today. The event will conclude with a spectacular dance party in the Entrance Hall.

Michael Gieler, artistic director of Music Stages: 'Mirelys Morgan joined the Concertgebouw Orchestra a few years ago. She had a sweet, charming sound. Her body sometimes seemed fluid, so relaxed. My fascination with Cuba and the Caribbean began upon her arrival. Soon after, I met a very talented young Dutch conductor, Leonard Evers. He too had a great interest in Cuba and is full of wonderful ideas. We're teaming up to throw an unforgettable end-of-year party.’

Music Stages and the Rotary Club of Vinkeveen-Abcoude They are presenting a livestream concert together.

Classical musicians from the Concertgebouw Orchestra are collaborating with a charismatic Ghanaian trumpeter and composer, Berima Amo. They will meet for the first time at the Kazerne Reigersbos in Amsterdam Zuidoost for a series of workshops.
This benefit concert is the first of several concerts that will take place throughout 2021.

Donations are welcome:

Donations are more than welcome via geef.nl. The net proceeds from this concert will benefit a special water project in northern Kenya: www.wajir.org