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Maarten Ornstein is a Dutch clarinetist, saxophonist, and composer who has made a name for himself in the world of classical music. Born on May 22, 1960, in Amsterdam, Ornstein grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a classical pianist. Ornstein started playing the clarinet at the age of nine and later picked up the saxophone. Ornstein studied at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam, where he received his degree in clarinet performance. He also studied saxophone with Arno Bornkamp and composition with Theo Loevendie. Ornstein's early career was focused on jazz, and he played with various jazz ensembles in the Netherlands. However, he soon became interested in classical music and began to explore the possibilities of combining jazz and classical music. In 1992, Ornstein founded the Nieuw Amsterdams Peil (NAP) ensemble, which specializes in contemporary classical music. The ensemble has performed at major festivals and venues throughout Europe, including the Holland Festival, the Berliner Festspiele, and the Wiener Festwochen. Ornstein has also performed as a soloist with various orchestras, including the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. One of Ornstein's most notable performances was his solo performance of Steve Reich's "New York Counterpoint" at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam in 1997. The performance was highly acclaimed and led to Ornstein being invited to perform the piece at the Lincoln Center in New York City. Ornstein has also received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1996, he was awarded the Dutch Jazz Prize, and in 2001, he received the Matthijs Vermeulen Prize for his composition "De Stilte van Saar." In 2010, he was awarded the Amsterdam Prize for the Arts, which is the highest cultural award in the city of Amsterdam. In addition to his work as a performer, Ornstein is also a prolific composer. He has written music for various ensembles, including the NAP ensemble, and his compositions have been performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world. Ornstein's music is characterized by its eclectic style, which combines elements of jazz, classical music, and world music. One of Ornstein's most notable compositions is his "Concerto for Saxophone and Orchestra," which was premiered by the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra in 2008. The piece is a fusion of classical and jazz music and features Ornstein as the soloist. The concerto has been performed by orchestras around the world, including the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra. Ornstein's other notable compositions include "De Stilte van Saar," which is a chamber opera based on the life of the Dutch poet Saar de Swart, and "The Big Apple," which is a suite for saxophone and string quartet inspired by Ornstein's experiences living in New York City. In addition to his work as a performer and composer, Ornstein is also a dedicated teacher. He has taught at various conservatories in the Netherlands, including the Conservatory of Amsterdam and the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. Ornstein is known for his innovative teaching methods, which combine traditional classical music training with improvisation and other contemporary techniques. Overall, Maarten Ornstein is a highly respected and influential figure in the world of classical music.

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