Dutch focus on November Music 2020 

With a focus on the Dutch music scene, November Music aims to showcase the Dutch music scene during this 28^stefestival edition highlight the vitality and creativity of composers, creators and musicians. Besides many new home-grown works, there are several concerts with leading roles for renowned foreign names. November Music 2020 takes place from 6 to 15 November at various locations in 's-Hertogenbosch with over 80 different concerts.

This year, November Music awards 10 commissions to Dutch and two to foreign composers, including a choral work for Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho. Traditionally, November Music opens with the Bosch Requiem on Friday 6 November, which of course takes on an extra charge this year. The Korean-Dutch composer Seung-Won Oh draws inspiration from death ritual YeonDo which links Korean funeral traditions with the Catholic faith. After Kate Moore and Calliope Tsoupaki, she is the third female composer of the Bosch Requiem in a row.

National & international

This year, more than ever, November Music aims to provide a stage for the Dutch music scene. With ensembles such as Asko|Schőnberg, Ragazze Quartet, Cello Octet, Cappella Amsterdam, SDH, Amsterdam Sinfonietta, Fuse and soloists such as Dominique Vleeshouwers, Diamanda Dramm, Hannes Minnaar, Tomoko Mukaiyama, Harmen Fraanje, Kika Sprangers and Joe Puglia, audiences can enjoy top-quality home-grown music.

Once again, November Music welcomes one of the top international new music ensembles. Musikfabrik from Kőln performs in large ensemble two world premieres by Enno Poppe and a November Music commissioned work by Richard Rijnvos. With the arrival of Terry Riley is the founderof minimal music in a duo concert with guitarist and son Gyan. Other world-renowned international artists include trumpeter Dave Douglas with a new project and rising star guitarist Julian Lage with his trio. But the most eye-catching concert is undoubtedly that of pianist Brad Mehldau who gives two long solo concerts of 1.5 hours in the beautiful ambiance and acoustics of the Jheronimus Bosch Art Center.

Festival composer Kaija Saariaho

World-renowned Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho is this year's festival composer. Besides the new commissioned work - a collaboration with the Donaueschinger Musiktage in Germany - a wide range of her works can be heard on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 November, performed by specialists such as the New European Ensemble, string quartet Meta4 and kantale player Eija Kankaanranta. New European Ensemble is ensemble-in-residence this year with a trio of varied programmes including a performance with writer P.F. Thomese and music by composer Martijn Padding.

Female voices

For the first time, the festival features more work by female than male creators. The proportion of female performers is also higher than other years. November Music aims for more diversity within new music including an equal male-female ratio as agreed in the Keychange programme.

The female voice holds a special place at this year's festival. British soprano and artist-in-residence Juliet Fraser will show and hear in a trio of concerts how virtuosic, but at the same time how human and down-to-earth new music can be. Other unique voices include Sarah Maria Sun, Maarja Nuut, Aino Peltomaa, Rima Khcheich, Naomi Beeldens and from the Netherlands Claron McFadden, Eefje de Visser, Helena Rasker and young talents like Pitou, Sanne Rambags and Rianne Wilbers.

November Music 2020 will take place from Friday 6 to Sunday 15 November. Ticket sales start in early September. For more information, visit www.novembermusic.net

About November Music

November Music is the festival for all adventurous music lovers. Every year, it brings together the most idiosyncratic and progressive creators and musicians from all over the world. Not with the flow or against it, but with new, own currents. It is precisely by giving a place to all these different sounds that November Music allows a personal and individual story to be heard, just as the makers themselves do.

Experience modern composed music, jazz, world music, music theatre, installations and genres you would not have thought possible yourself. November Music creates encounters and challenges creators to jump into the deep end.The festival gives space to big names, but also to the smallest trials. Expect the unexpected.

From 2021, November Music will be part of the national basic cultural infrastructure, known as the BIS.