ENSEMBLES 2023

Nederlands Jeugd Strijkorkest

The Netherlands Youth String Orchestra (NJSO) is the string orchestra for talented string players aged between 12 and 21. Its members come from all over the country and are mostly in young talent classes or preparatory courses of the Dutch conservatoires. The aim of the orchestra is to give young professionals a kickstart in their musical development and give concerts at top level. Conductor and violinist Carel den Hertog does this like no other. With this young orchestra, he can convince everyone of the NJSO's enormous energy, infectious enthusiasm and very high musical and technical level. Every year, the NJSO presents three programmes consisting of a special combination of well-known evergreens from string literature and original repertoire. Musicians from the best Dutch orchestras and ensembles assist the members in preparation, such as from the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam Sinfonietta and the Dudok Quartet. The projects conclude with concerts in the finest venues at home and abroad. For instance, the orchestra regularly plays at the Royal Concertgebouw and recently travelled to Florence, Lisbon and Aberdeen. They often collaborate with world-renowned soloists: among others, Liza Ferschtman, Quirine Viersen, Claron McFadden, Bart Schneeman and Cora Burggraaf have joined the orchestra.

Carel den Hertog

Conductor

Carel den Hertog studied violin at the conservatories of The Hague, Amsterdam and Tilburg with Jaring Walta, Johannes Leertouwer and Chris Duindam. In 2010, he completed his master's degree cum laude. Already during his studies, he developed into a versatile musician. He immersed himself in Eastern European folk music as a violinist from Trio C to the Third. With this trio, he travelled frequently to the Balkans, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan and India. He also gained experience in authentic performance practice, including with the Nieuwe Philharmonie Utrecht. During his violin studies, Carel already started conducting. He is founder and artistic director of the Amsterdam String Orchestra Lundi Bleu. With that orchestra, he also performed as a soloist and toured to Lebanon and South Africa, among other places. He is also interested in contemporary music. He has conducted the premiere of compositions by Chiel Meijering, Anthony Fiumara and Florian Mayer. Since 1 Janauri 2014, he has been conductor and artistic director of the Netherlands Youth String Orchestra (NJSO). He is also a composer and editor at Radio4.

Competition Program

Additional Concerts Program