Stories

Willem Mengelberg (1871-1951) succeeded Willem Kes as principal conductor in 1895. For fifty years Mengelberg stood at the helm of the orchestra and was of great significance for music culture in the Netherlands.

It all started when his grandmother gave him a violin. Now, too, the special instrument the our orchestra's leader Vesko Eschkenazy plays is of great significance to his life and career.

Even in times of social distancing, the Concertgebouworkest and PwC have remained close. A conversation with Marc Diepstraten (Member of the Board of Management, PwC Netherlands) and Mariëlle Krouwel (Director of Corporate Marketing & Communications, PwC Netherlands).

A video featuring some of the orchestra’s musicians performing in a KLM Cargo aircraft has been made to promote the orchestra’s 2019 US tour. Our thanks to our corporate partner KLM!

‘It was like a final chord for us – we wanted to do something important one last time.’ The married couple Berthie and Dick van Lith established a commemorative fund in support of the Concertgebouw Orchestra musicians.

‘Building relationships based on a common goal – that’s what I enjoy.’ Nicole van Det is senior managing director at the consultancy firm Accenture. Here she talks about her company’s partnership with the Concertgebouworkest: ‘A common goal might well take the form of a business project, but it’s that much more satisfying when there’s a social objective.’

Speaking about the importance of music education in schools, Frank and Liesbeth Schreve explain why they want to contribute to creative forms of music education through their commemorative fund.

In the series 'Musicians and their instrument': Dominic Seldis on his double bass - Erasmus, built in ca 1810 by Vincenzo Panormo, London - acquired in 2015.

In the series 'Musicians on their instruments': Fons Verspaandonk on his horn, the Alexander 107X, acquired in 2009.

In the series 'Musicians on their instrument': Bert Langenkamp on his D/E-flat trumpet, built by Yamaha - acquired in 2010.

In the series 'Musicians on their instrument': Davide Lattuada on his A/B-flat clarinet-set, built by Buffet Crampon, Paris - acquired in 2010.

In the series 'Musicians on their instrument': Herman Rieken on the ten orchestra bells - manifactured by Koninklijke Eijsbouts, Asten - acquired in 2012 and 2014.

In the series 'Musicians on their instrument': Arno Piters on his D clarinet - built by Leitner & Krauss, Neustadt - acquired in 2011.

In the series 'Musicians on their instrument': Nicoline Alt on the oboe d’amore built by Lorée, Parijs - acquired in 2012 with the support of the Swiss Friends of the Concertgebouworkest.

In the series 'Musicians on their instruments': principal oboist Alexei Ogrintchouk on his oboe, built by Marigaux, Paris - acquired in 2014.

In the series 'Musicians on their instrument': Laurens Woudenberg on his double horn and descant horn - built by Klaus Fehr, Sibbe - acquired in 2014.

‘Culture is the bridge that should be blown up last’ is a statement Renée Jones-Bos, former Dutch ambassador to the US, likes to quote when talking about international artistic and cultural exchanges.