nrc.nl
November Music's Artistic Director Retires After 25 Years
After 25 years, Bert Palinckx steps down as artistic director of the November Music festival, reflecting on its growth and future.
Dutch
Netherlands
NetherlandsLeadershipMusicLegacyFestivalChange
November MusicVerkadefabriekDe ToonzaalAsko|SchönbergEnsemble Klang
Bert PalinckxMarieke HopmanKoen GraatRemy AlexanderMitchel Van Dinther
- How has November Music evolved since its inception?
- Initially, November Music was a small festival focusing on experimental and avant-garde music. Around 2009, it moved to a new location and expanded its programming to include jazz, world music, and more popular acts, increasing its audience.
- Who is taking over as artistic director, and who else makes up the programming team?
- His successor is accordeonist Marieke Hopman, and the programming team also includes Koen Graat, Remy Alexander, Mitchel van Dinther, and Rikkert Brok.
- What are some of Palinckx's personal highlights and reflections on the future of music?
- Palinckx reflects on his highlights, including a program featuring Helmut Lachenmann and a performance by meLê yamomo, expressing optimism about the future of music while acknowledging challenges in the traditional Western classical music scene.
- What is the current scale of November Music, and what are some of its key programming elements?
- The festival now features around 100 concerts over ten days and includes commissioned works from both Dutch and international composers. Palinckx emphasized the importance of fair pay for musicians and the need to balance artistic vision with financial constraints.
- Who is stepping down as artistic director of November Music, and how long have they held the position?
- Bert Palinckx, the artistic director of November Music festival for 25 years, is stepping down. He initially programmed only niche music but the festival grew to include a wider range of genres and a larger number of concerts.