Bas Aalders
donates annually
on a special date
'After my wife passed away in 2020, I started listening to classical music. A local foundation regularly organizes chamber music concerts in a church near my village. I visited once, and from that moment on, I've immersed myself in classical music. It brings me so much! Beauty, depth, connection. The concerts also inspire me to write poetry. Sometimes I wake up the next morning and I just have to write.'
photography: Jeroen Dietz
‘Because I believe it's incredibly important that people can play music and others can enjoy it, I'm donating to The Netherlands Musical Instruments Foundation. One of the reasons for this was a chamber music festival at Jachtslot Mookerheide, organized by the foundation and Natuurmonumenten (Dutch Society for Nature Conservation). The performances were incredibly inspiring. It was wonderful to hear about the importance of an instrument for a musical talent, right down to the bow.
Another reason was harpist Ekaterina Levental, who has a harp on loan from the foundation. She tells her stories through her music so beautifully and deeply. I've already attended fourteen of her performances, one of which I organized myself.
It's valuable that the foundation gives people the opportunity to play precious instruments. After all, what's the value of an instrument if it's not being used? Every year, my donation is transferred on a date with special significance: my wife and I's wedding anniversary.’
‘'Every year Idonate on my wife and I'sweddinganniversary.'’