Ophanim was the name of the flaming wheels of the mythical chariot that the prophet Ezekiel saw in his visions. Wheels that were supposed to lead humanity to divine enlightenment and a heavenly ascent. This theme of a spiritual ascension also resonates in the works that will be performed tonight. At the invitation of artist-in-residence, cellist Maya Fridman, student ensemble fc. Jongbloed, the Brabant choir Capella Brabant, conducted by Marc Versteeg, organist Sietse van Wijngaarden and violinist Merel Vercammen, will be performing a spiritually tinted programme.

A whirlwind of sound and inspiration will soon rage over the heads of the audience. An extremely varied concert ritual with a leading role for Maya Fridman’s cello art and Aart Strootman’s self-invented, 3D-printed musical instruments. Together with the heavenly voices of Capella Brabant, they transform the Grote Kerk into a modern, sacred space. The program includes an adventurous new work by Maya Fridman in collaboration with Aart Strootman, titled Ophanim. A composition for choir, cello and Strootmans instrumental inventions played by the AMPA student ensemble fc Jongbloed. Other composers on the program find inspiration in the psalm texts and the poetry of Oscar Wilde and William Shakespeare.

The audience is in the middle of the performance and is surrounded by music. In addition to compositions by Maya Fridman and Aart Strootman, works by spiritual composers Kris Oelbrandt, Bart Michiels, John Tavener and Peteris Vasks can be heard.

Cellist Maya Fridman is artist-in-residence during November Music 2023 this year. Her versatility and virtuosity is reflected in a number of diverse concerts with violinist Garth Knox, Maarten van Veen, LudoWic, Capella Brabant and Merel Vercammen, among others.

Programma