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About
Amsterdam Sinfonietta has occupied a unique position as the only professional string orchestra in the Netherlands for the past thirty years. It enjoys an international reputation and has given concerts throughout the world. The ensemble comprises 22 string players who perform under the leadership of its concertmaster and artistic leader Candida Thompson.
Amsterdam Sinfonietta was founded in 1988, with Lev Markiz as its first artistic director. Candida Thompson has been concertmaster of the ensemble since 1995, as well as its artistic director since 2003. The approach to music-making without a conductor is what distinguishes the group from ‘regular’ chamber orchestras. It calls for an extremely intense degree of involvement from all the musicians. In past years Amsterdam Sinfonietta has toured Europe, China, the United States and Australia. It has appeared at major venues including the Barbican Hall in London, Cité de la Musique in Paris, the National Centre of Performing Arts in Beijing and the Berlin Konzerthaus.
Innovative Programming
The repertoire encompasses a variety of styles, ranging from Baroque to contemporary works. Alongside performances of mainstream repertoire, the orchestra frequently champions unjustly neglected or new works. Amsterdam Sinfonietta has recently premièred compositions by composers such as Sofia Gubaidulina, Florian Maier, Michel van der Aa, Pēteris Vasks, Thomas Larcher and Sally Beamish. The ensemble has gained a reputation for creating highly innovative programmes; its trademark versatility recently earned it the prestigious classical music prize De Ovatie (The Ovation) in 2013. It frequently presents original and compelling combinations of works, initiates surprising collaborations and embraces groundbreaking concepts involving video art, dance or theatre. Successful partnerships were forged with choreographers Emio Greco and PC, actor Jeroen Willems, choreographer Nanine Linning, stage director Pierre Audi and singer-songwriter Patrick Watson.
Soloists
Amsterdam Sinfonietta has worked with a host of internationally renowned musicians, such as Sergei Khachatryan, Barbara Hannigan, Sol Gabetta, David Fray, Janine Jansen, Dejan Lazić, Steven Isserlis, Jean-Guihen Queyras, Isabelle Faust, Patricia Kopatchinskaja, Jasper de Waal, Martin Fröst, Alexander Melnikov, Christianne Stotijn, Bobby McFerrin and Wende.