Role

:

Conductor  

Country

:

Belgium

Birth

:

August 31, 1938 in Dilbeek, Belgium

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Vocal

 

Wieland Kuijken is a renowned Belgian cellist and viola da gamba player who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on July 8, 1938, in Dilbeek, Belgium, Kuijken grew up in a family of musicians. His father, Arthur Kuijken, was a conductor and his mother, Gerda Kuijken, was a pianist. Kuijken's siblings, Sigiswald and Barthold, are also accomplished musicians. Kuijken began his musical training at a young age, studying cello with his father. He later switched to the viola da gamba, a stringed instrument that was popular in the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Kuijken's interest in the viola da gamba was sparked by a recording of Jordi Savall, a Spanish viola da gamba player who would later become a close friend and collaborator. In 1964, Kuijken co-founded the ensemble La Petite Bande with Sigiswald and several other musicians. The group specialized in performing Baroque music on period instruments, and quickly gained a reputation for their innovative and historically informed interpretations. Kuijken served as the ensemble's principal viola da gamba player and cellist for many years, and also occasionally conducted performances. Throughout his career, Kuijken has been a sought-after soloist and chamber musician, performing with many of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles. He has recorded extensively, both as a soloist and with La Petite Bande and other groups. Kuijken's recordings have received numerous awards and accolades, including the Grand Prix du Disque and the Diapason d'Or. In addition to his performing and recording career, Kuijken has also been a dedicated teacher and mentor. He has taught at several prestigious institutions, including the Royal Conservatory of Brussels and the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Switzerland. Kuijken has also given masterclasses and workshops around the world, sharing his knowledge and expertise with the next generation of musicians. Kuijken's contributions to the world of classical music have been recognized with many awards and honors. In 2007, he was awarded the Flemish Culture Prize for Music, one of the highest honors in Belgian culture. He has also been awarded the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government, and the Order of the Crown by the Belgian government. Despite his many accomplishments, Kuijken remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He continues to perform and record, and is always seeking new ways to explore and interpret the music of the past. His passion for the viola da gamba and Baroque music has inspired countless musicians and audiences around the world, and his legacy will continue to be felt for generations to come.

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