Concert, Saturday 20 October 2012, 15:30-16:15
Location: Sweelinckzaal, Amsterdam Conservatory

Erik Bosgraaf (blockflute) and Izhar Elias (guitar)

Programme:

Antti Auvinen (1974): Nulla Salus [extra ecclesiam] (2005)

Gabriele Manca (1959): Duo di Follia

Toru Takemitsu (1930-1996): Toward the Sea
The Night
Cape Cod

Tomi Räisänen (1976): Stheno (2007)

Erik Bosgraaf

Hailed as one of the most gifted and versatile recorder players of the new generation, Erik Bosgraaf has a colourful past in a rock band and as an oboe player. He believes that good music is irrespective of style and feels equally at home in early and contemporary music as well as commissioning new works including several concertos incorporating new media. Engagements in this season include solo performances with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra/Jaap van Zweden, the Dutch Radio Chamber Philharmonic/Andreas Delfs and the world premiere of ‘Dialogues de l’ombre double’ in a version for recorder by Pierre Boulez. Born in The Netherlands in 1980, Erik Bosgraaf is a former student of Walter van Hauwe and Paul Leenhouts (Amsterdam). He also holds an MA in musicology from Utrecht University. In 2009 he received the prestigious Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award from a committee presided over by pianist Mitsuko Uchida. The prize, to the amount of 20,000 pounds, is to be devoted to matters furthering the career of the recipient. Last year he won the Dutch Music Prize, the highest Dutch state award for music, and the triennal Golden Violin award. In season 2011-12 he toured all major European concerthalls as part of The Rising Stars Series. Since 2010 he is professor at the Amsterdam Conservatory.
www.erikbosgraaf.com

Izhar Elias

Born in Amsterdam in 1977. He won the prestigious Dutch Music Prize in 2010, the highest musical award given by the Dutch government. His performance of Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez with The Hague Philharmonic Orchestra was praised as both ‘virtuoso and sincere’ (NRC) and ‘The strength of his clear and compelling subtleties prevailed’ (Telegraaf). His poetic sense of style and his innovative approach to the instrument and its repertoire have earned him worldwide critical acclaim. 'Izhar Elias is a musician of outstanding ability, whose whole approach to his art displays a maturity beyond his years' was the conclusion of Classical Guitar Magazine's review of Elias's debut album Omaggio a Guadagnini. The Dutch newspaper Trouw wrote: 'Elias links unbelievable technique with great musicality: he transcends his instrument with a feeling for style, timing, colour and depth. The lyrical Elias is symphonic and you seldom encounter that with guitarists.' In June 2009 Elias released the first recording of themes from Rossini’s opera Semiramide, as transcribed by Mauro Giuliani (Brilliant Classics). Through extensive research, Elias has been able to recreate a musical language of the Baroque, Classic and Romantic periods using original instruments and historical methods. Elias has revived works which had remained unperformed for more than 200 years. He owns a unique original Guadagnini guitar from 1812. The Prince Bernhard Cultural Foundation made the purchase of the instrument possible. Elias has premiered over 30 works. In addition he mixes different artistic disciplines in his collaborations with choreographers, experimental film makers and theatre directors.
www.izharelias.com