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Ensemble

 

Cello Octet Amsterdam is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1989 by eight cellists who were studying at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam. The ensemble has since become one of the most renowned cello ensembles in the world, known for their innovative and dynamic performances. The founding members of Cello Octet Amsterdam were Godfried Hoogeveen, Jeroen den Herder, Marien van Staalen, Esther Torrenga, René Berman, Monique Heidema, Sanne van der Horst, and Jelena Očić. The ensemble was formed with the goal of exploring the possibilities of the cello as a chamber music instrument, and to create a new repertoire for the instrument. Cello Octet Amsterdam has since expanded their repertoire to include a wide range of music, from classical to contemporary, and from Bach to Radiohead. The ensemble has collaborated with many renowned composers, including Arvo Pärt, Philip Glass, and Steve Reich, and has premiered many new works written specifically for the ensemble. One of the highlights of Cello Octet Amsterdam's career was their performance at the 1994 Holland Festival, where they premiered a new work by Dutch composer Louis Andriessen. The piece, titled "La Passione," was a tribute to the Italian composer Claudio Monteverdi, and was written specifically for the ensemble. The performance was a huge success, and helped to establish Cello Octet Amsterdam as one of the most innovative and exciting ensembles in the world. Cello Octet Amsterdam has also won many awards and accolades throughout their career. In 1996, the ensemble won the prestigious Dutch Music Prize, which is awarded to the most outstanding musicians in the Netherlands. The ensemble has also been nominated for several Grammy Awards, and has won numerous other awards and prizes for their recordings and performances. In addition to their performances and recordings, Cello Octet Amsterdam is also committed to education and outreach. The ensemble regularly gives masterclasses and workshops for young cellists, and has developed a program called "Cello8ctet Goes to School," which brings the ensemble into schools to perform and teach students about the cello and chamber music. Today, Cello Octet Amsterdam continues to be one of the most innovative and exciting ensembles in the world of classical music. The ensemble has released several critically acclaimed recordings, including "Bach Reflections," which features their arrangements of Bach's cello suites, and "The Velvet Lounge," which features their arrangements of jazz standards. The ensemble also continues to collaborate with composers and musicians from a wide range of genres, and to push the boundaries of what is possible with the cello as a chamber music instrument.

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