Concert “Bach forever!” (Latvia)
Erik Bosgraaf is considered one of the world’s most virtuosic recorder players and certainly the most adventurous. For him, the recorder is an inexhaustible source of inspiration and possibilities. He improvises, plays jazz, works with electronics, and seeks collaborations with other art fields, such as filmmakers (Werner Herzog, Paul and Menno de Nooijer). Bosgraaf is also a talented conductor and has been appointed principal conductor of the Latvian Collegium Musicum Riga. He is the artistic director of the London International Festival of Early Music (LIFEM).
Bosgraaf’s repertoire ranges from medieval works to Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” to contemporary pieces. For him, there is no significant difference between old and new music. In his view, “early music is always new.” Around one hundred works have been written specifically for him, including twelve solo concertos (by Willem Jeths, Theo Loevendie, Anna Meredith, and others). Pierre Boulez personally granted him permission to adapt his clarinet composition “Dialogue de l’ombre double” for the recorder. In 2019, he performed the world premiere of his own version of Arvo Pärt’s “Fratres” for recorder in Tallinn, Estonia.
Bosgraaf’s recording of Jacob van Eyck’s “Der Fluyten Lust-hof” marked his international breakthrough in 2006. Since then, numerous other CDs have been released, mainly under the Brilliant Classics label. He records most of his music with his ensemble Cordevento, with whom he has performed from Utrecht to Hong Kong. As a soloist, he has played with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jaap van Zweden, the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Duisburger Philharmoniker, Residentie Orchestra The Hague, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and Helsinki Baroque Orchestra. In February 2017, Jaap van Zweden invited him to perform as a soloist with the Hong Kong Philharmonic. In 2021, Concerto Köln accompanied him in his solo debut at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg.
When not performing as a soloist, Bosgraaf conducts orchestras as an experienced continuo player from the harpsichord. In 2009, he received the Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award, and two years later, he became the first recorder player to receive the Dutch Music Award. Bosgraaf teaches at the Academy of Music in Kraków (Poland), is a regular guest teacher at conservatories in Amsterdam and Taipei, and gives masterclasses worldwide.
Concert duration: one hour and 20 minutes
Ticket information:
20 EUR (discount ticket) and 25 EUR (full ticket)
Discounts apply to pensioners, students, and university students (up to 26 years old), people with special needs, and their companions.
Children with special needs up to 18 years old and one companion – free.
Tickets can be purchased through piletilevi.ee and fienta.com or one hour before the performance at the venue.
Note! This year, the audience area is partially covered with a roof. This allows for a better experience of the atmosphere of Kreenholm’s walls and the starry skies of the warm August evenings. In case of rain, it is possible to move under the roof. However, we still advise you to dress according to the weather conditions.
More information: narvaopera.ee, Facebook (Narva Opera Days ContempArt)
