Concertzender Newsletter

The Concertzender in October: fresh jazz programmes, an 'irie' reggae programme, new concert recordings and much more

Wednesday 8 October

Theme: Contemporary

Lithuanian composer Čiurlionis central in Festival Vocallis

The year 2025 marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Lithuanian composer and painter Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis (1875–1911). To mark this anniversary, Concertzender will broadcast an hour of Čiurlionis's music curated by Joed Elich on October 8th in the programme The Last Century.

Čiurlionis left behind over 300 compositions and more than 300 paintings, but remains relatively unknown in the Netherlands. The Festival Vocallis in South Limburg will change that this autumn. From October 17th to November 2nd, his music will be performed at various locations, including Maastricht, Heerlen, Eijsden, Meerssen, and Vaals.

There will also be chamber music concerts, lectures, and storytelling concerts. On October 18, his great-grandson Rokas Zubovas, together with his wife Sonata Zubovienė, will play four-handed piano works in the Leopold Church in Meerssen and talk about his grandfather.

Listen: The Last Centrury, Wednesday 8 October, 19:00 - 20:00 CET.

On demand

Theme:Global (World)

In Memoriam: Chris Zaal, passionate programme maker with a love for the tango

It is with deep sadness that we learned of the passing of Chris Zaal. We will remember Chris as a valued and versatile colleague.

Chris was a mathematician, teacher, visual artist, and tango dancer. He was also a tango DJ in Alkmaar and the surrounding area. As a programme producer for the Concertzender, he created – together with Richard Frisart – the beautiful and highly acclaimed programme Tango Despreciados. We will miss Chris greatly and wish his family and friends strength during this sad time.

Listen: all the episodes of Tango Despreciados.

Sunday 26 October and on demand

Theme: Crosslinks

Le Guess Who? 2025

Le Guess Who? Festival returns to Utecht from November 6th to 9th. As in previous years, Bob Rusche will be highlighting the special gems from the lineup of this adventurous festival.

Bob will do this in two separate X-Rated broadcasts. The first one aired on September 28th and can be heard here. The second will be on October 26th.

Listen: X-Rated, broadcast 28 September

Theme: Podium Online

Fresh concert recordings

Did you go to the Muze van Zuid festival in Amsterdam earlier this year. We recorded a number of concerts there.

The concert by harpist Joost Willemze and the VU Chamber Choir in the Obrecht Church can already be heard again.

On November 9th at 15:00, Utrecht composer Willem Wander van Nieuwkerk will host a concert at the Geertekerk in Utrecht. Admission is free, and Concertzender will be recording it! Want to experience the concert live? Reserve your tickets by email.

Thursday 23 October

Theme: Early

English Baroque music from Purcell and Galliard

In L'Esprit Baroque, we travel to England for an hour, where we hear English Baroque music: incidental music by Henry Purcell and chamber music by Johann Ernst Galliard.

Henry Purcell Purcell wrote incidental music for Shakespeare's Timon of Athens. A "masque" was incorporated into that drama, a verbal battle between Cupid and Bacchus over love and wine. You'll hear this Masque of Cupid and Bacchus performed by Musica ad Rhenum under the direction of Jed Wentz.

Johann Ernst Galliard, born in Germany, was a gifted oboist and recorder player in addition to being a composer. He wrote operas, cantatas and chamber music, worked as an oboist in George Frederic Handel's opera orchestra and was also involved in founding the first "Academy of Ancient Music" in 1726. Galliard's compositions include the bassoon sonatas that are played by Jennifer Harris with the Chameleon ensemble.

Listen: L'Esprit Baroque, Thursday 23 October, 20:00 - 21:00 CET.

image: Henry Purcell, portrait from orpbrit - Westminster Abbey

Wednesday 22 October

Theme: Contemporary

La Monte Young at 90

The founder of minimal music, La Monte Young, is celebrating his 90th birthday. On Wednesday October 22nd, Theme will be dedicated to this influential composer and will feature unique recordings and groundbreaking works.

Together with Terry Riley, Philip Glass, and Steve Reich, La Monte Young laid the foundation for the minimalist music movement. His pioneering work still resonates in many contemporary ambient, art rock, and drone compositions. Brian Eno rightly described him as "the daddy of us all."

In two separate programmes, Mark van de Voort devotes considerable attention to La Monte Young, presenting well-known and lesser-known recordings of his time-shattering and mind-expanding work. These include an early performance of his Theatre of Eternal Music, a thrilling version of his conceptual drone work Composition 1960, no. 7 and an excerpt from the seminal work of minimal music, Trio for Strings.

Listen: Theme, Wednesday 22, October 20:00 - 22:00 CET.

photo: Portrait of La Monte Young, 1961 - MoMA
photographer: George Maciunas

Friday 10 October

Theme:Global (World)

A new reggae programme: Irie Riddims

This month, you'll hear the first episode of Irie Riddims, a new programme curated by Geert de Vos and packed with reggae music.

Irie is pronounced "aaj-rie" and is used to say things are going well, that you have no worries, or that something is good. This positive word originated in the Rastafarian culture of Jamaica, the homeland of reggae.

However, Irie Riddims is not limited to Jamaica, as reggae has spread throughout the world. The music in Irie Riddims comes from all the eras of reggae history – both the origins and the many subsequent developments of the music are explored. For the listener, it's simply a matter of sitting back and feeling irie.

The first episode focuses on Alton Ellis, the "godfather" of rocksteady. A new episode can be heard every second Friday of the month.

Listen: Irie Riddims, Friday 10 October, 20:00 - 21:00 CET.

Theme: Classical

Vacancy

Wanted: Classical Music Coordinator.

Are you a fan of classical music from 1750 to 1945 and do you follow current developments in this music? Then this (unpaid) position might be right for you.

Theme: Jazz | World of Jazz

Many new programmes on Worldofjazz.nl and the Concertzender!

It's autumn, and not only are the apples, pears, and chestnuts falling from the trees, but several new programmes have also ripened this summer and are now ready for consumption.

Freshly picked for you: four new programmes on Worldofjazz.nl and the Concertzender!

Thursday 9 October

Theme: World of Jazz

Rec/Play

Leroy Rey, a DJ and music fanatic for over 30 years, sifts through his extensive record collection for a biweekly show, attempting to cover the broad spectrum of sounds rooted in the African diaspora.

No boundaries, just Rec/Play… "Heeeeey Leroy, whatchu gon’ play now??"
Every 2nd & 4th Thursday in the month from 20:00 - 22:00 CET on Worldofjazz.nl.

Listen: Rec/Play, Thursday 9 October, 20:00 - 21:00 CET.

Every Tuesday

Theme: World of Jazz

Dutch Jazz

This programme has been away for a while, but is now back in full force! With a new look that perfectly suits presenters Rolf Delfos and Coen Witteveen. Is it a radio show? Is it a podcast? No, it's Dutch Jazz!

New releases, old tracks, the concert schedule, and everything else worth checking out about the Dutch jazz scene. Every Tuesday at 22:00 CET on Worldofjazz.nl.

Listen: Dutch Jazz, broadcast 30 September.

Listen: Dutch Jazz, Tuesday 7 October, 22:00 - 23:00 CET.

Dutch Jazz is a production by Tivoli/Vredenburg.

On demand

Theme: Jazz | World of Jazz

The Hammond Podcast

The Hammond organ! Bulky, heavy, unliftable, often broken, difficult to play—what on earth is so appealing about the Hammond organ?

It's been celebrated and reviled, and for almost 100 years, it's resonated in virtually every musical style, from world hits to radio plays. Its iconic sound touches the heart, no, more like the gut. What makes the Hammond organ so special?

Fourteen organists talk about their instruments in this podcast series, produced by Charlie Crooijmans (music journalist and musicologist), Karin Klooster (cultural advisor and music lover), and Aad van Nieuwkerk (radio producer and sound engineer).

Every 4th Saturday in the month on the Concertzender at 18:00 CET. And every 4th Sunday in the month at 19:00 CET on Worldofjazz.nl.

Listen: The Hammond Podcast, broadcast on 27 September.

Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 October

Theme: Jazz | World of Jazz

Shades of Blue

John-F Klaver presents Shades of Blue, the radio program about blues in the broadest sense of the word.

Shades of Blue From swampy delta blues to contemporary gritty pop blues, all sides will be explored and discussed. Hosted by John-F Klaver, a renowned blues artist with numerous awards under his belt, he'll deliver a generous dose of blue in all its hues.