To close the 2024–25 theatre season, the VSCD Classical Music Jury has announced the nominees in the running for De Ovatie (The Ovation) 2025. From a rich and diverse selection, the jury has chosen three impressive stage performances. De Ovatie will be presented to the respective winner in the autumn as a surprise. Among the nominees are Nationaal Jeugdorkest for their 2025 Winter Tour with Vincent van Amsterdam, conducted by Otto Tausk and the Dutch Chamber Choir for The Mass of Martin conducted by Peter Dijkstra.
The Radio Philharmonic Orchestra is nominated for their performance of Joey Roukens’ violin concerto Out of the Deep, conducted by Markus Stenz and featuring Simone Lamsma.
From the jury report:
‘In early 2025, the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Markus Stenz, performed the world premiere of Joey Roukens’s violin concerto Out of the Deep, which was composed for the AVROTROS Friday Concert. Internationally celebrated violinist Simone Lamsma shone as the soloist, playing with penetrating virtuosity, expressing great emotion and beauty. Roukens’ compelling, dreamlike and uplifting music held the audience spellbound. The orchestra provided a rock-solid and committed foundation, leading to a blistering performance. The performance was of an impressively high international standard.”
The Ovation is awarded to musicians who have delivered an impressive stage performance and thus made a significant contribution to Dutch classical music life. The award consists of a sculpture, designed and executed by Amsterdam-based artist Iris Le Rütte. The sculpture shows the nymph Daphne and depicts the blossoming of people through music, but also the blossoming of each artist through audience appreciation. A large format of this sculpture hangs in the Beatrix foyer of Het Concertgebouw, as an ode to all prize winners. The presentation of The Ovation will take place in the autumn, as a surprise moment for the winner in question.
De Ovatie was created by the VSCD in 2003. Performing artists make a powerful contribution to the art climate and are at the heart of theatres and concert halls. Their achievements deserve special attention and the widest possible audience. That is why the venues, united in the VSCD, and partners from the sector honour performing artists every year by awarding prizes in various genres for the most impressive stage performances.
Composers in the crosshairs of our attention