In brief
The Nederlands Kamerkoor (Netherlands Chamber Choir), founded by Felix de Nobel in 1937, is a full-time and independent professional vocal ensemble which concentrates on a cappella repertoire from the early Middle Ages until the present day.
In recent seasons the Nederlands Kamerkoor has commissioned works from various leading composers, and the world premières of these compositions – by Sir John Tavener, James MacMillan, Edith Canat de Chizy, Gija Kancheli, Hans Kox, Sir Harrison Birtwistle, Gerard Beljon, Karin Rehnqvist, Mauricio Kagel and Jan Vriend – have been received enthusiastically by the press. The Nederlands Kamerkoor also put on a successful programme of songs by Burt Bacharach, arranged for the Nederlands Kamerkoor and instrumental combo by Bob Zimmerman. On the books for the near future are commissions for works by Peter-Jan Wagemans, Karin Rehnqvist, Elmer Schönberger and Sir Harrison Birtwistle.
The Nederlands Kamerkoor works with conductors specialized in different periods of music. In 2005 Peter Dijkstra was named Principal Guest Conductor and the Flemish early music specialist Paul Van Nevel Honorary Guest Conductor. That same year saw the appointment of Klaas Stok as Choirmaster. The Nederlands Kamerkoor also works regularly with conductors Marcus Creed, Ed Spanjaard, Reinbert de Leeuw and Roland Hayrabedian.
Every year the Nederlands Kamerkoor presents its own series of concert programmes in Holland, and in addition performs both there and abroad with orchestras and ensembles such as the Nieuw Ensemble, ASKO Schönberg Ensemble, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Netherlands Radio Orchestra and the Orchestra of the 18th Century.
The Nederlands Kamerkoor has to date issued almost seventy CDs, of which several have received an Edison Award. The most recent CD’s, French Choral Music, parts two and three, contain recordings of choral works by Messiaen, Daniel-Lesur, Jolivet, Canat de Chizy and Ohana. These CD’s were issued on the Globe label in September 2007.
Partners
KRO
The media partner of the Nederlands Kamerkoor is KRO Radio 4.
Website “KRO Klassiek”
Accenture
Our sponsor in 2010: Accenture
TENSO
The Nederlands Kamerkoor is, together with the Rias Kammerchor (Berlin), Accentus (Paris) and the Latvian Radio Choir, co-founder of the international network called Tenso. Tenso is a platform for European professional chamber choirs, providing the opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience, to do research into new avenues of choral music and choral compositions, and to organize the annual Tenso Days in each other’s countries. The Nederlands Kamerkoor is also co-founder of the Choral Biennale, held every other year in Haarlem, at which the choir also regularly performs.
Rias Kammerchor
Choeur de Chambre Accentus
Latvian Radio Choir