RCO Global Friends news - December 2015

volume 1 - number 1 - november 2015

Daniele Gatti

Her Majesty Queen Máxima, Yo-Yo Ma, and general director Jan Raes

Global Friends enjoyed the very first Opening Night in the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra’s history, given on 10 September. Led

by the orchestra’s chief conductor designate Daniele Gatti, the concert also featured star cellist Yo-Yo Ma in a performance of Dmitry Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1. Her Majesty Queen Máxima, patron of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, joined in the festivities.

In East Asia

Performing for music lovers Right after being appointed principal

thing, but playing for colleagues in an

Maistre went on a tour of Taiwan and

stressful. That’s why I really had to pre-

double bassist, Pierre-Emmanuel de

Japan with the orchestra in November.

‘Performing for audiences in Japan was really special,’ he says.

audition setting is actually much more

pare myself mentally beforehand. And it

paid off. I felt good on the day, and am so happy that I won it.’

There were several reasons Pierre-Emma-

Inspirational

It was his first tour as principal double

man says he was very excited to be able to

nuel de Maistre so enjoyed the experience.

Now at the head of his section, the French-

bassist, a position he obtained after only

play alongside Dominic Seldis. ‘That was a

two years with the orchestra. Auditions are never easy, Pierre-Emmanuel says. ‘I tried to be as relaxed as possible. Audi-

tioning for people you don’t know is one

fantastic experience. Sitting next to him is truly inspirational. I’m really looking forward to working with him in the future.’

Audience ‘We were given such a warm welcome in Japan. You can feel that Japanese audiences love the orchestra. Concert goers are

so respectful – of both the music and the

musicians. You could feel their concentration: such good energy, good spirit. It

makes you perform better. Plus their con-

cert halls – like Muza Kawasaki, or SuntoPierre-Emmanuel de Maistre

ry Hall in Tokyo – have incredible acoustics. I really liked playing there.’

Gustavo Gimeno This was the second time that former percussionist Gustavo Gimeno conducted the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.

‘It was my first time,’ says Pierre-Emmanuel de Maistre, ‘because I was off back in 2014 when he stood in for Mariss Jansons, the orchestra’s chief conductor at the time. You could see that all his former

colleagues highly value him. There was a good connection between him and all of

us. He’s charismatic and gave good energy in all the concerts. Particularly the last concert in Suntory hall in Tokyo was a

special experience, and you could feel the atmosphere.’

Thank you for holding many concerts in Japan! I went to the concert in Na-

goya, it was so impressive that my tears sometimes flowed out from my both

eyes. Many orchestra friends in my

university days went to Muza Kawasaki and Suntory hall in Tokyo and they all

said “ Amazing!!” “ So excited !! I can not sleep...” in their facebook. reaction on our Facebook page

Jeroen Bal, Marc Daniël van Biemen, Vilém Kijonka Nicolas Schwartz Jérôme Fruchart at a concert at the residence of the Dutch ambassador in Paris, 2014.

Music without borders Inge van Verschuer is having a won-

chestra before but haven’t heard it live.

which gives young talent the chance to

her husband have lived for the last five

lovers, and you see them get goose pim-

that the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

derful time in Paris, where she and years. Yet both are still involved with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, as Global Friends and as sponsors. Inge

says, ‘Everyone should know what a fantastic orchestra the Netherlands has.’

‘Even as a student,’ says Inge, ‘I was an

avid listener of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and always loved to see it per-

form. I happen to play the piano myself.

Some of them are devoted classical music ples. Philip, too, is a music lover, and he firmly believes that music can take the

Stolen moments

tact. Not to mention that the RCO, with

by the orchestra here in Paris – there was

that of ordinary, day-to-day business con-

‘We’ve seen so many first-rate concerts

its golden, perfectly balanced sound, is

Lang Lang in 2012, the arrival of the then

a world-class orchestra. It’s so special. It makes you feel at home even when you’re outside the Netherlands.’

Red carpet

en France, which has since merged with

If you love music, it doesn’t matter where

a few others founded the Cercle des Amis

‘Becoming a Global Friend is a great idea.

Global Friends. Music has no borders, and

you live. The Opening Night last Septem-

certgebouw Orchestra performs works by

new composers such as Henri Dutilleux,

as well as familiar ones by Bruckner. I like

the combination of young and old. It’s so moving, for example, to see and hear how

the more experienced members of the orchestra are passing on the musical tradition to younger generations.’

Loyens & Loeff ‘My husband Philip van Verschuer works

for Loyens & Loeff, a firm which sponsors the orchestra back in the Netherlands.

Here in Paris, too, he’s continued that

ber, which so many Global Friends attended, is a perfect example. It was such a fantastic evening, with the reception in the

Recital Hall before the concert and the in-

Princess Máxima, and the Bruckner con-

cert with Mariss Jansons, who was then chief conductor, in April 2014. One of France’s severest critics wrote in Le Fi-

garo that that last performance was like listening to “moments stolen from eternity”. The French may not always think we

Dutch northerners are that refined, but after a concert, they’re stupéfaits! I en-

joy being involved. Here’s to another 125 years!’

troductions. For the Global Friends among us, it really felt like the red carpet treatment! The concert, which featured cellist

Yo-Yo Ma, was incredible. Global Friends

also have priority when purchasing tickets to RCO concerts in their particular

city. Sometimes, when receptions are organised, you get to meet the musicians

afterwards, when they’re all so relieved they’ve pulled it off again.’

support by organising special evenings

Young talent

many of whom may have heard of the or-

things like the Academy of the orchestra,

to which he invites his corporate clients,

has such an appeal to young musicians.’

client relationship to a level higher than

When we moved to Paris in 2010, we and

neither does the orchestra. The Royal Con-

gain orchestral experience. It’s nice to see

‘The proceeds of contributions go to 2

Philip and Inge van Verschuer

Special house concert in France on 4 June 2016 Exclusively for Global Friends, an en-

semble made up of musicians from the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra is giving a performance near Nice, in the

south of France, on Saturday, 4 June.

The Academy welcomes seven young talents Seven new Academy students embarked

at the very highest level,’ says Wouter Steijn,

discovery in September. As such, they’ll

tion of the RCO.

on a year-long journey of learning and be playing in the Royal Concertgebouw

Hornist Martijn Appelo (Netherlands),

chestra and giving chamber music con-

Poghosyan (Armenia), cellist Boris Nedi-

certs. The Academy is made possible exclusively by support from donors.

New this season are lessons in improvisation, of which the Academy students have

just had their first session. ‘The Academy

offers musicians from all over the world the perfect opportunity to gain experience

like to attend, please send an e-mail to rcofriends@concertgebouworkest.nl.

outgoing director of the donors’ founda-

Orchestra, taking lessons with musi-

cians of the Royal Concertgebouw Or-

Mark your calendars now! If you would

violinists Alexa Farré (Spain) and Lilit alkov (Bulgaria), flautist Joséphine Olech (France), double bassist Benjamin Ziai (France) and violist Sofie van der Schalie (Netherlands) are all enjoying these new

RCO Global Friends Music lovers are everywhere. Just for you, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra has founded the Global Friends. Global Friends will receive two tickets to the exclusive annual

experiences. After all, ‘if you’re not enjoy-

RCO Opening Night at the Concertgebouw

very much,’ said Sofie van der Schalie at

priority when booking tickets to performances

ing yourself, chances are you won’t learn the beginning of the season.

in Amsterdam : 9-9-2016. You are also given of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in your country, you may attend rehearsals and are eligible for discounts on RCO Live CDs and DVDs. Your contribution (of at least €1,500 annually) allows the orchestra to undertake international concert tours, enables the musicians to acquire top quality instruments and supports the Academy, the orchestra’s international young talent programme.

Please check our website for information about tax deduction in your country: www.rcofriends.com

Acknowledgements The orchestra gave its last concert here in 2013.

The orchestra travels to New York Many Global Friends are already very excited that the Royal Concertgebouw

Orchestra will be performing in New York once a year for three consecutive years.

Starting in 2016, the entire orchestra will be performing in this cultural Mecca, and you can be there to hear it.

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Global Friends News is published by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.

Global Friends designated contact: Henriette Henny / +31 (0)20 305 1010 rcofriends@concertgebouworkest.nl

Text and editing Irene Bloemink / Translation Josh Dillon Photos Anne Dokter (Opening Night, Daniele Gatti), Renske Vrolijk (Academy)

Graphic design Atelier Rene Knip & Rens Martens