Carel Kraayenhof (born 1958 in Aalst) is a Dutch bandoneon player, composer and arranger who has been one of Europe's most versatile interpreters of Argentine tango for decades. He became a household name in the Netherlands on 2 February 2002, when his performance of Piazzolla's 'Adiós Nonino' at the royal wedding of Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Máxima Zorreguieta moved the bride to tears - a moment that became known worldwide as 'the tear of Máxima'. He has collaborated with artists including Yo-Yo Ma, Janine Jansen and Joshua Bell, won the Edison award twice, and was appointed Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau in 2012.
The third part of 'Melancholy in the Polder', the theater concert series with Leoni Jansen, is expected in September 2026.
In February 2026, Kraayenhof accompanied the National Ballet with his bandoneon in '5 Tangos', a choreography by Hans van Manen.
The album 'Maestro Morricone', recorded with the Matangi Quartet, is released in 2026.
The new concert program 'Bach in Buenos Aires', together with the Carel Kraayenhof Quartet and cellist Nuala McKenna, premiered on 26 October 2025.
Kraayenhof and pianist Marietta Petkova presented their program 'The Hand of the Bear' in January 2025 at the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow.
Leoni Jansen and Carel Kraayenhof present their programme "Melancholie in de Polder 3" at Mozaïek Wijchen.
Dutch musicians Leoni Jansen and Carel Kraayenhof perform together at Cpunt Hoofddorp.
Leonie Jansen and Carel Kraayenhof blend Argentine, Irish and Scottish traditional music with pop, folk and original songs.
The Beemster duo Carel Kraayenhof and Leoni Jansen present the third instalment of their show Melancholy in the Polder.
Two Dutch musicians, Leoni Jansen and Carel Kraayenhof, perform together in a shared programme at Kielzog.
The Beemster duo Kraayenhof and Jansen return with their third instalment of 'Melancholy in the Polder', blending Argentine folk, Celtic traditionals and new polder-inspired compositions.
A concert featuring Matangi Quartet and accordionist Carel Kraayenhof, inspired by the music of Ennio Morricone.
The Beemster duo Carel Kraayenhof and Leoni Jansen present the third instalment of their 'Melancholy in the Polder' series, blending Argentine folk, Irish and Scottish traditionals with contemporary folk songs.
Carel Kraayenhof plays bandoneon alongside the Matangi Quartet in a programme of Ennio Morricone, Astor Piazzolla and other composers. An evening of cinematic classical music under the stars.