(South)-American swing, French sensuality, and Dutch common sense—it’s all present during this apple pie concert. This alone makes it a wonderful opportunity to listen to the richness of classical music together with neighbors, friends, or caregivers. Mezzo-soprano Karin Strobos, along with seasoned string players like Elisabeth Perry and Richard Wolfe—concertmaster of the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and principal violist of the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, respectively, and united in the Kreisler Quartet—demonstrates that passion sounds different everywhere, but ultimately touches your heart in the same way.

A unique art of song emerged in France in the second half of the nineteenth century. The French Mélodie therefore sounds completely different from the German Lied. More sultry, more sensitive, more vague in the best sense of the word. A style and atmosphere that suits Karin Strobos like no other, as she demonstrated last year with the Kreisler Quartet in songs by Debussy and Berlioz. The pure beauty of the songs is interspersed with equally sensitive instrumental pieces by artists like Joey Roukens, who create excitement and tranquility. Music that sounds like a good apple pie tastes.

Apple pie is the symbol of this concert series, which emphasizes warmth and comfort: we bring classical music to people who long to attend a live concert, but for whom, for various reasons, that’s unfortunately not always possible. And of course, there’s apple pie!

Concert is a part of the International Chamber Music Festival Utrecht.

Program:

Fauré Le bonne chanson (selectie; arr. versie Hamelle)

Chausson Chanson Perpetuelle

Roukens Vi Amai

Piazzolla Concierto para quintetto (arr. Wijnand van Klaveren); Yo soy Maria (arr. Ernst Munneke)

Gershwin Three songs (arr. Wijnand van Klaveren)