Since 2012, Yoram Ish-Hurwitz has organised the Oranjewoud Festival in Friesland every summer. In doing so, the equally enterprising and adventurous pianist makes nature an inseparable part of the musical experience. From Wednesday 1 to Monday 5 June he once again surprises his audience with concerts in special locations. Scattered across the area, over 120 top Dutch and international musicians play the finest music in small-scale, intimate settings.
Royal allure
Even if you are not a lover of classical music, it is worth travelling to Friesland. Just the place itself has fairy-tale allure. Oranjewoud owes its name to Albertine Agnes van Nassau, princess of Orange, who in the 17e century built a country house in the wooded area near Heerenveen. Although the estate changed hands and buildings regularly over time, the connection with the Oranges remained. Beatrix and Claus were also regular guests there. This gives the festival a royal edge.
Moreover, the sympathetic thing about the Oranjewoud Festival is its accessibility and approachability. Besides paid concerts, there are free events in the Proeftuin. This forms the festival heart, where everyone can taste (h)honest snacks and all kinds of music. There are short performances by festival musicians so you can get acquainted with a wide variety of music styles in an informal way. Especially for children, there is plenty to do and experience in 't Proevertje.
Reflect and sway
The Proeftuin offers a nice starting point from which to fan out across the grounds. For example, to Museum Belvédère, where sound artist Hans van Koolwijk objects brought to life with sound. Or the Rabobank Pavilion, for an atmospheric candlelight by master pianist Enrico Pace. Also Waltzing in the Woods at Oranjewoud Estate is not to be sneezed at. The musicians of LUDWIG will play festive dance music in the upstairs hall and expressly invite you to join them.
For the more meditatively inclined, there is AlexP's concert in a cold-war bunker. Deep underground, he controls four virtual wings in Simeon ten Holt's incantatory Canto Ostinato. Also The singing eccentric at the Ecocathedral by 'ecotect' Louis Le Roy promises to be an extraordinary experience. His wondrous, bush-covered structures of waste material will be filled with mysterious sounds and voices.
Falling asleep and waking up with music
The highlight of the festival is the Night of the Park, a new programme feature. An array of short concerts, including one in complete darkness, will be heard in a fairy-tale-lit Overtuin. There is also an 'Augmented Concert' by violinist Yannick Hiwat, with special effects through headphones. The Night of the Park concludes in style with a Midnight Concert by singer Nora Fischer, the Doelen Ensemble and Aart Strootman on electric guitar. They will play Death speaks by David Lang and Giudecca by Strootman.
Those staying overnight in Oranjewoud will receive a free personalised serenade by the festival musicians. Early risers will wake up at 5:00 on Monday morning with a sunrise concert by recorder player Lucie Horsch and LUDWIG. The festival will end that afternoon with a free picnic concert by the Netherlands Wind Ensemble. You may determine which pieces they will play, from a top-25 compiled in consultation with Omrop Fryslân. - You literally feel like royalty.
Oranjewoud festival: :1 to 5 June, Oranjewoud
Info and maps: https://www.oranjewoudfestival.nl/
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