Harpist Joost Willemze won the GrachtenfestivalPrijs 2023. This was announced last night in Felix Meritis, during the festive Evening of the GrachtenfestivalPrijs. Willemze wins the title Artist in Residence 2024. He will be given carte blanche to put together and present a vibrant and diverse program during the next festival at the Grachtenfestival 2024, which will take place from August 23 to September 1, 2024.
"With Joost you are on the edge of your seat from the first to the last note. He is technically completely above the material which gives him the space to take you into his musical story." So say the judges.
The three nominees, harpist Joost Willemze (1996), soprano Sabra El Bahri Khatri (1996) and violinist Emma Roijackers (1995), were followed by a professional jury consisting of Frederike Berntsen (music journalist), Jeroen Smits (programmer of classical music Muziekgebouw Eindhoven) and Judith van Wanroij (soprano and winner of the GrachtenfestivalPrijs 2010). During the Evening of the GrachtenfestivalPrijs, they performed separately but also together with a program ranging from early 19th century songs to Rachmaninoff and contemporary composers. On behalf of the jury, Jeroen Smits presented the prize after a fantastic performance.
