Pianoduo Festival Amsterdam

Where opposites meet

With the festival theme Where opposites meet, the Pianoduo Festival Amsterdam brings its musicians, audience and different music styles together in unique concerts. From very grand to intimate, from old to brand new. Special attention is paid to two anniversary years: 150 years of Sergei Rachmaninoff and 100 years of Simeon ten Holt, two composers who have been of great importance for (the repertoire of) piano duo playing, but are almost at odds with each other in terms of musical style. '

Meeting and connection central

Be surprised by unknown top works, hear classical music in a place where jazz and pop usually sounds, enjoy Ten Holt and Rachmaninoff. It will be a diverse, challenging and beautiful festival, where you will be surrounded by fantastic musicians from all over the world!

Carmina Burana

One of the highlights of the festival is the impressive masterpiece "Carmina Burana" by Carl Orff, which will be performed in its original version, with three soloists, a choir, a children's choir, two pianos and six percussionists. The vocal soloists are soprano Katrien Baerts, baritone Raoul Steffani (winner of the Dutch Music Prize 2023) and tenor Jan-Willem Schaafsma. The choir parts are performed by Toonkunstkoor Amsterdam and the children's choir Nieuw Vocaal Amsterdam. The two pianists behind the wings are Lestari Scholtes and Gwylim Janssens, the founders and artistic directors of the festival, and the percussion group is formed by students from the Conservatory of Amsterdam. All this is led by conductor Boudewijn Jansen. This special evening will take place on Friday, December 8 in the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ.

Festival programme

Listen to top international duos such as the Bulgarian Duo Shalamov and Duo Frank Peters & Caspar Vos and to emerging talent such as the sisters Camille & Chloé Beniest (18 and 15 years old), winners of the 3rd Piano Duo Festival Competition in 2022. They return to the festival for a lunch concert in the beautiful Jerusalem Church in Amsterdam-West. Surprise your toddler or grandchild during the interactive toddler concerts and swing along during the Tapas & Jazz evening with Elizabeth Fadel & Mike del Ferro, two world-class jazz pianists who join forces for an evening full of Brazilian music, classical and jazz. The last day of the festival is dedicated to Simeon ten Holt and Sergei Rachmaninoff: the festival theme is further emphasized with lectures and concerts with known and unknown work by these composers.

The program is large and diverse, check the Pianoduo Festival website for all program components, concerts, locations and tickets .