NMF Chamber Music Festival
at Natuurmonumenten
2017
Natuurmonumenten and Het Muziekinstrumentenfonds. Two charities that are passionately committed to preserving our Dutch cultural heritage. To raise awareness of this cause, they have joined forces and are bringing cultural heritage to life together during the first edition of the NMF Chamber Music Festival at Natuurmonumenten.
From October 6 through 8, 2017, visitors can enjoy classical chamber music at 75 concerts, performed by musicians playing instruments from the collection of Het Muziekinstrumentenfonds. The concerts will take place in 35 culturally and historically significant buildings managed by Natuurmonumenten, located throughout the country. Music, cultural heritage, and nature come together in this festival.
35 cultural-historical sites
The most beautiful chamber music in forts, castles, farms, country estates, a windmill, and even a sheepfold! Some of these unique buildings are open to the public only during the festival. For example, this weekend, two cellists—Geneviève Verhage and Dionne Nijsten—will perform a solo program in the historic greenhouses from 1928 at the Jachtslot De Mookerheide Estate.
75 chamber music concerts
Classical music for small ensembles. Music that you could, so to speak, play in a large living room. During the festival, 35 venues have been transformed into unique chamber music venues where you can enjoy music 75 times in an intimate setting. From solo performances—Bach, Beethoven, and Cassadó—to string quintets—Mozart and Brahms.
Meet the Forest Rangers
Before or after the concerts, festivalgoers can meet the park ranger for a nature walk or a unique guided tour of one of Natuurmonumenten’s special buildings. The fort keeper at Fort bij Spijkerboor will set up a lighted trail through the dark fort especially for the occasion. You’ll walk from room to room, listening to various performances by musicians from Het Muziekinstrumentenfonds.
180 musicians from the Musical Instrument Fund
No fewer than 180 musicians will be performing at the NMF Chamber Music Festival. All of the musicians are playing “for free” this weekend. We are therefore very grateful to the musicians for their commitment to making the festival a success. In addition to young talent and conservatory students, international stars will be performing, including Joris van den Berg, Birthe Blom, Shuann Chai, Ingrid van Dingstee, the EnAccord Quartet, Joachim Eijlander, Amarins Wierdsma, and Marlene Hemmer.
Cultural Heritage: 92 High-Quality Instruments
At the festival, 92 instruments from the collection of the Musical Instrument Fund will be featured—both old and new. Violins, violas, cellos, double basses, bows, harps, and guitars. Unfortunately, the pianists are leaving their grand pianos from the foundation at home. One of the oldest instruments on display is Mara Oosterbaan’s violin: a Hendrick Jacobs from around 1690, built in Amsterdam. The newest instrument is Michelle Verheggen’s Lyon & Healy harp, from 2015.