Classical NOW! Festival Kindred spirits : Rondom György Kurtág

Nineteen festival musicians descend on the Palace Church for the Festival Kindred. Classical NOW! gave Jelmer de Moed carte blanche to put together his dream programme. He is a clarinettist and initiator of multidisciplinary music theatre with Studio de Moed. In Kindred spirits, he presents compositions in a wide range of line-ups, from solo to full-stage. A journey through several centuries, from Vivaldi to brand new premiere pieces.

Hungarian master composer György Kurtág feels a deep kindred spirit with Robert Schumann, who, like him, sees in music the very individual expression of the very individual emotion. With his ‘Hommage à R. Schumann’ for clarinet, viola and piano, Kurtág wrote one of his most sensitive pieces. Combined with Schumann's beloved Piano Quartet, the homage takes on an extra deep meaning.

Kurtág sublimated his connection with Hungarian folk music in three pieces for clarinet and cimbalom, which demand the utmost from both instrumentalists. The Animato Quartet, which is storming the chamber music stages at home and abroad, plays Béla Bartók's impressive First String Quartet. The composer bridged the gap between romantic and Hungarian music. It fits seamlessly into Kurtág's musical universe.

Young composer Jasper de Bock wrote an innovative piece full of humour with ‘1001 Stokslagen’ for violin. In Léo Weiner's ‘Két tétel’, the clarinet and cimbalom once again get a starring role. A swinging conclusion to the opening night. 

Programme:

• György Kurtág: Homage to R. Schumann
• Robert Schumann: Piano Quartet in E-flat major, opus 47
• György Kurtág: Three Pieces, opus 38
• Jasper de Bock: 1001 Stokslagen
• Béla Bartók: String quartet no. 1, opus 7
• Leó Weiner: Két tétel (arrangement Jelmer de Moed)

Musicians:

• Tim Brackman (violin)
• Inga Våga Gaustad (violin)
• Elisa Karen Tavenier (viola)
• Pieter de Koe (cello)
• Floor Le Coultre (violin/viola)
• Rik Kuppen (piano)
• Jelmer de Moed (clarinet)
• Dani Luca (cimbalom)