Remy in Residence: The Contemporary Fortepiano

Winning the GrachtenfestivalPrijs 2013 meant that the harpist Remy van Kesteren is the Artist in Residence at Grachtenfestival Amsterdam 2014. He has been given carte blanche to put together three concerts. And the results are marvellous! Three very different programmes, three genres and diverse line-ups. The people Remy has worked with over the last year show what an adventurous musician he is: collaboration with the choreographer Hans van Manen, the soprano Claron McFadden and the cabaretier/writer Kees van Kooten, among others.

During the final concert of Remy’s residency, he is taking up another challenge. The Contemporary Fortepiano is a project by the Rembrandt Frerichs Trio, three jazz musicians who play only on authentic instruments that are typical for the classical period in music history: contemporary music, including jazz, on Mozart’s piano! They are at VondelCS, a recently opened venue where you can hear cantatas by Bach, wonderful Arabic harmonies and new jazz compositions. A collection of musicians who are all happy to try musical paths that no-one has trodden before - this collaboration promises to be every bit as exciting as it is surprising!