What not to miss at Grachtenfestival 2022

The largest classical music festival in the Netherlands starts tomorrow. MASTERS picks out the performances you should not miss over the next ten days; mark your calendar now.

The largest classical music festival in the Netherlands will start again from tomorrow. During the Grachtenfestival, young musicians from all over the world promise to surprise the audience with Amsterdam as a beautiful backdrop. MASTERS finds out which performances you should definitely not miss in the next ten days; just grab your agenda...

Friday, August 12

The organization of the Grachtenfestival and the Meervaart will present the very first edition of Sloterplas Live on Friday. A musical event on the boulevard of the Sloterplas, opposite the Meervaart. In addition to the beautiful surroundings, which also offer perfect cooling on this hot day, from 16.30:XNUMX PM you can enjoy the Afro-Caribbean drum band KalentuRa, Amsterdam pianist Feico Deutekom who brings a summer mix of crossover classical music, singer Noa Lauryn and singer-song rapper Benjamin Fro. The evening will be played around a quarter to nine by the Amsterdam brass band Gallowstreet, with a festive mix of hip hop, funk, afrobeat and dance. 

Saturday, August 13 

The premiere of SmallWorld will take place in Eye on Saturday and Sunday. A special concept; During the animated film you will listen to the live music of emerging composer Camiel Jansen, performed by the Asko | Schönberg Ensemble conducted by Clark Rundell. Small World was specially created for the Grachtenfestival and takes you into the musical adventures of Sem the Mouse. Highly recommended for young and old…

Sunday, August 14 

How nice is it to start your Sunday morning with beautiful music at a beautiful location and good coffee? The music of Jazz clarinetist Martí Mitjavila can be heard on Sunday in the unique art-deco hall of Hotel The Grand. The musician is a rising talent from Barcelona and even won the Grachtenfestival Jazz Competition this year. 

Monday August 15 

On Monday, Bijlmerplein will be all about jazz at 14.00 p.m. Diana Dzhabbar is an Afro-Ukrainian saxophonist based in Amsterdam and started her bachelor's degree in saxophone at the Conservatory of Amsterdam in 2019. On Monday Diana will play her favorite compositions from the American Songbook, which she puts her own spin on. You will also hear music that she wrote herself in recent years. 

Friday, August 19 

On the last Friday, the Intercontinental Ensemble, together with top cellist Benjamin Kruithof, organizes a musical Friday afternoon drink in the Olympic Stadium. According to the organization, the only thing you have to do yourself is buy a ticket, arrange a picnic blanket and take cold drinks with you in your cool box. 

In addition to these performances, there is much more to experience during the Grachtenfestival. Look here on the website for more information.