Duo Siekman-Wieringa
A pair of virtuoso musicians who were both completely absorbed in the music and their instrument, […] Soloistic and dual simplicity, but with orchestral allure and heavenly harmony. Three bravos!” (Zandvoortse Courant, februari 2024)
Jobine Siekman (cello) and Ellyne Wieringa (piano) formed a duo in 2022. Commissioned by the Gaudeamus House in Bilthoven, they created a programme in honour of legendary cellist Pau Casals. A shared affinity for creative programmes and interdisciplinary projects laid the foundation for their successful collaboration.
Their first concert was successfully received there in Bilthoven, the place where Casals played many times with Dutch composer Julius Röntgen. Since then, the duo has been able to develop into an inspired ensemble characterised by convincing interpretations, creativity and a warm connection with the audience.
Duo Siekman-Wieringa has previously played in various cities in the Netherlands and gives concerts both in more intimate atmospheres and in larger music halls. The duo has played at the Rietveld Theatre in Delft, Classic Concerts Zandvoort and Theater Ludens in Voorburg, among others.
In 2023, as part of The Harmotion Collective, Siekman-Wieringa received an honourable mention at the Goodmesh Competition for an interdisciplinary performance involving music, dance and film/photography.
Ode aan Pau Casals
This programme is an ode to the legendary cellist Pablo Casals in which the musical pieces reflect the different facets of his life story: his Catalan identity, his collaboration with Julius Röntgen, and his commitment to Bach’s cello suites and, in particular, his call for peace. It shows a monumental life with which he manages to inspire to this day. In times of war and oppression, we want to respond to a social theme: resistance. As a renowned cellist, Casals abstained from concerts for a long period in opposition to fascist regimes. ‘El Cant dels Occels’ is a Catalan anthem that Casals repeatedly played when calling for peace, including during his speeches at the United Nations.
Bach’s cello suites are a staple of the cello repertoire today, but that has not always been the case. Casals has given prominence to these works by bringing them to the stage. In addition to the ‘original’ Bach, we also play a Catalan piece inspired by it and an arrangement by Siloti/Casals: a unique insight into how Bach was interpreted then.
We reference his Catalan identity with pieces by Granados and Cassado. We also play a sonata by Julius Röntgen; as a duo partner, Casals was a regular guest at Röntgen’s house in Bilthoven. We would like to introduce this lesser-known, Dutch work to the public. We will complement the programme with a handful of encore pieces that have become known partly thanks to Casals. It will be an inspiring portrait that we would like to bring to many people’s attention.
