musical instrument Foundation
and Grachtenfestival
continue their partnership
The Musical Instrument Foundation and the Grachtenfestival are once again organizing a joint project this year. It is a continuation of the series of sound tests that was launched with great success last year, in which various high-quality string instruments are compared with one another in a public session.
The theme of this year’s concert is the cello. On Sunday, August 21, cellist Johan van Iersel, a member of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (who plays a 1772 Guadagnini cello from the collection of the Musical Instrument Foundation) will perform on a number of cellos, one of which will be purchased by the Foundation for the benefit of its instrument loan recipients. A panel of experts will evaluate the instruments played. The audience is invited to attend this sound test and also cast their votes. Hans van de Boom (AVRO Klassiek) will host this fascinating cello festival.
“Choose the First Cello” is part of the Grachtenfestival’s “Day of the Cello,” during which Pieter Wispelwey (who is also a musician with the Musical Instrument Fund) will give a master class and a concert.
The violin by Raphael and Antonio Gagliano, purchased following last year's sound test, is now played by Quirine Scheffers, first violinist of the Rubens Quartet.