Festive conclusion of Bass Clarinet Festival

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Bass Clarinet Festival 2026

Fifth edition Bass Clarinet Festival with theme The binding power of the bass clarinet. Festive conclusion on Sunday 15 February 2026 at Orgelpark in Amsterdam.

We look back on a very successful 5th edition. Avant-garde composed and improvised music was presented by several generations of bass clarinetists.

The final concert at the Orgelpark on Sunday 15 February will also feature both elements. A special feature of this particular concert is that the widow of the Amsterdam bass clarinet king Harry Sparnaay - the Argentine organist Silvia Castillo - will perform together with his former student Fie Schouten.

Poetic storyteller

The Bass Clarinet Festijn is distinguished by its programme structure and the combination of established names with young talent. The concert at LantarenVenster was a wonderful celebration of the bass clarinet - from abstract sound exploration to lyrical interplay and composition.

Programme Sunday 15 February 2026, 14:15 - Amsterdam, Orgelpark

Silvia Castillo organ & Fie Schouten bass clarinet

Matthias Kadar (NL): Levent (2002)
Roderik de Man (NL): Con todo el alma (2001)
organ & electronics
Sergio Fidemraizer (ES): Atlantída (2024)

Fie Schouten, Femke van den Berg, Germaine Sijstermans bass clarinet
- Philip Przybylo (CA/NL): bloodshot mangroves. starved already (2025)
bass clarinets, three live and five pre-recorded
composition assignment Bass Clarinet Festijn i.c.w. Tera de Marez Oyens Foundation & Gaudeamus
- Juste Janulyte (LT): Psalms (2008/2025)
three bass clarinets & organ
Bart van Dongen organ & Tobias Klein (contra)bass clarinet
- Organist Bart van Dongen and bass clarinetist Tobias Klein perform a structured improvisation. The organ and bass clarinet become perceptible as if they were meteorological phenomena within the atmosphere of the Orgelpark.

The Bass Clarinet Festijn is a travelling festival founded by bass clarinetists and Amsterdam natives Fie Schouten and Tobias Klein, it puts the versatility of the bass clarinet centre stage: from soloing to accompanying, as a chameleon in timbres, as a jukebox full of surprising sounds. The festival presents established names as well as new talent and an international line-up. This edition featured seven provinces and three performances abroad (France, Germany).

Previous editions

Since 2014, the Bass Clarinet Festijn realised 53 concerts, 15 educational activities and 22 world premieres in collaboration with Bimhuis, November Music, Gaudeamus Festival, Paradox and LantarenVenster, among others. Audiences and press praised the festival for its innovative programming and distinct signature.

Updates and tickets: www.basklarinetfestijn.nl

The 5th Bass Clarinet Festijn is organised by To be Sung Foundation and realised with the support of: Performing Arts Fund, Amsterdam Fund for the Arts, The Culture Fund, BNG Culture Fund.