East of the Sun

Cello Octet Amsterdam as a bridge between musical cultures

The Cello Octet Amsterdam is central to a programme that connects Western classical music with Indian and Iranian traditions. Three composers each wrote a world premiere for this concert, in which the octet consistently forms the connecting factor between different musical worlds.

Saskia Rao-de Haas and the sound of water

The Dutch-Indian cellist and composer Saskia Rao-de Haas adapted her orchestral work Song of Water for sitar, cello octet and Indian cello. That Indian cello is a smaller variant that you play while sitting on the floor. In this way, she literally brings two playing styles to the same level.

Kayhan Kalhor and the Persian tradition

Kayhan Kalhor is a leading composer and performer within Iranian classical music. In his work, he connects Persian traditions with Kurdish folk music and Western classical elements. His new composition for this concert is a next step in that musical dialogue.

Joël Bons and the Atlas Band

Joël Bons received the Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition for his work Nomaden. He wrote his new piece Zigzag for the Atlas Band and the Cello Octet Amsterdam. In it, every cellist is given a 'non-Western' companion, as an expression of his striving for truly intercultural composition.