Calefax - Forbidden Notes

Name: Calefax - Forbidden Notes
Start: 2027-02-19T20:30:00+01:00
End: 2027-02-19T22:30:00+01:00
Location: Willem Twee Toonzaal

Fri, 19 Feb 2027 · 20:30 — 22:30

Willem Twee Toonzaal, 's-Hertogenbosch

concert Jazz date culture

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Calefax invented the reed quintet in 1985 and has since grown into an internationally leading ensemble in chamber music. With oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bass clarinet and bassoon, the quintet performs repertoire from Bach to Nina Simone in their own arrangements.

Calefax — also plays in other cities (3)

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About: Calefax

Amsterdam's Calefax invented the reed quintet genre back in 1985 and has been filling concert halls from Tokyo to New York ever since. More than 70 ensembles worldwide have taken up the format; Calefax itself keeps pushing forward with new commissions and unexpected collaborations.

70+

reed quintets worldwide inspired by Calefax

200+

commissioned works for reed quintet

reed quintets that performed the anniversary work Link

What's new

2025-11
Calefax received the Amstel Music Award from composer Johan de Meij on 22 November 2025, in recognition of forty years of pioneering work as the founder of the reed quintet.
2025-11
From 20 to 23 November 2025, Calefax celebrated its 40th anniversary with the first Calefax Reed Festival at the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ in Amsterdam, featuring concerts, workshops and international guests.
2025-10
For the occasion of the anniversary, composer Michel van der Aa wrote the work Link, which was performed by 40 reed quintets worldwide over 40 days and could be followed via the new platform reedquintet.net.

Tour

AmsterdamUtrechtEindhovenDen HaagLeidenCuraçaoBonaireArubaSingapore

Tracks

Die Kunst der Fuge (Bach, arr. Calefax)Iconic album from 2000, Bach's contrapuntal masterpiece arranged for reed quintet

Goldbergvariaties (Bach, arr. Raaf Hekkema)Acclaimed CD recording with DVD, arrangement by Calefax saxophonist Raaf Hekkema

Rhapsody in Blue (Gershwin, arr. Calefax)Permanent part of the repertoire, also frequently performed live

Link (Michel van der Aa, 2025)Anniversary work written for Calefax' 40th anniversary, performed by 40 reed quintets worldwide

Nouvelles suites (Rameau, arr. Calefax)Album from 2006, Baroque music by Rameau in an original reed quintet arrangement

Recent shows

Jun 14, 2019 Grote Zaal, Amsterdam

Calefax - Forbidden Notes

Concerts · 's-Hertogenbosch 21 in the next 30 days →

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