Sitting on a bale of hay,

listening to a

three-hundred-year-old

violin

On April 5, 6, and 7, 2019, more than 70 concerts will take place at 23 locations throughout the Netherlands. Sitting on a bale of hay in a sheep pen, on a bench in an ammunition bunker, or on antique chairs in a luxurious castle hall, visitors will listen to both ancient and cutting-edge instruments. The concerts will be performed by both very young and highly experienced musicians from Het Muziekinstrumentenfonds, such as Carla Leurs, Rembrandt Frerichs, Shuann Chai, Daan Herweg, Floris Kappeyne, and the Dudok Quartet. A unique feature is the combination of the concert with a guided tour of the area or the building led by the forest ranger. The program is very diverse and offers something for everyone!

Opening of Eerde Castle

Following an extensive restoration, Eerde Castle is reopening its doors to the public. Woodwork and tapestries have been restored, walls painted, and floors sanded. Musicians from Het Muziekinstrumentenfonds will take the stage in the grand hall, officially opening both the castle and the festival. During the festival, experts will lead visitors on their first-ever guided tours, sharing insights into the restoration and the castle’s history. The Rembrandt Frerichs Trio—one of the highlights of North Sea Jazz—blends classical music, jazz, and Middle Eastern music. Violinist Sarah Kapustin and pianist Shuann Chai will also perform in the atmospheric Eerde Castle. After a guided tour of the castle, you can enjoy a beautiful chamber music concert featuring sonatas from the first half of the 20th century. Sunday, April 7, 2019 – 10:00 a.m.

Unique Instrument Makes Its Debut at Concert
A classical concert will be held at the Hiemstratstate estate in Hooghalen (Galerie Wilde Vuur) to celebrate the debut of a unique instrument. Artem Belogurov will perform on a brand-new fortepiano, commissioned by the Musical Instrument Fund and built by Gerard Tuinman in Utrecht. What makes this instrument special are its two interchangeable action mechanisms. Saturday, April 6, 2019 – 2:15 p.m.

Song Parade from *De Paraplu* at the farm near Rotterdam
Music at the farm near Rotterdam! The performance for children ages 4 and up on Sunday, April 7, featuring songs from the musical theater production *De Paraplu*, is inspired by the famous picture book *De Paraplu* by Ingrid and Dieter Schubert.

Duo Black Büyü at De Wieden Visitor Center
Enjoy a selection from the repertoire of classical, tango, and world music performed by the duo Black Büyü in the beautiful setting of the De Wieden Visitor Center. Discover the viola in a whole new way! Afterward, discover the beauty of the area during a boat tour. Saturday, April 6, 2019 – 11:00 a.m.

Luis Cabrera at Fort Nieuwersluis: a unique combination of double bass and harp
Take a look around the fort and then listen to the beautiful combination of harp and double bass. Luis Cabrera plays a magnificent double bass made by Carlo Ferdinando Landolfi in 1770, which the Musical Instrument Fund was able to add to its collection in 2018.

Former hermit’s dwelling
Discover the former hermit’s dwelling atop the mountain in the middle of the forest. Experience the peace and quiet and enjoy the music. At De Kluis, Joachim Eijlander will perform two cello suites by Bach. Saturday, April 6, 2019—7:00 p.m.

Unique Musical Instruments

The Musical Instrument Fund manages a collection of valuable musical instruments and lends them to more than 400 professional musicians and music students. “An instrument that challenges and inspires is indispensable for musicians pursuing a successful music education and career. In addition, the Musical Instrument Fund ensures that important instruments are preserved as part of our country’s cultural heritage,” says Manon Veenendaal, director of the Musical Instrument Fund: “I am therefore proud that, together with Natuurmonumenten, we are organizing such wonderful concerts. The historic venues add tremendous value to the chamber music concerts for both the musicians and the audience.”

Natuurmonumenten: a heritage steward through and through

Natuurmonumenten protects more than 100,000 hectares of nature. Marc van den Tweel, director of Natuurmonumenten: “Natuurmonumenten also protects and maintains 2,600 culturally and historically significant buildings within these nature areas, which now serve as the backdrop for these one-of-a-kind concerts. The concerts will take place in forts, castles, farms, and country estates—as well as a former hermit’s dwelling—all of which will serve as mini-concert halls this weekend. The collaboration with Het Muziekinstrumentenfonds is a fantastic way to introduce music lovers to all these beautiful places.”