Classical music venues in Amsterdam
When it comes to classical music, you will be spoilt for choice in Amsterdam. Take your pick from big, world-renowned venues such as the Royal Concertgebouw, canal-side performances during the Grachtenfestival and the intimate settings of the city’s medieval churches for a complete evening of classical euphony.
Royal Concertgebouw
This world-renowned concert venue on the Museumplein square consistently ranks among the top halls in the world for its superb acoustics. It is known for being the centre for classical music in Amsterdam and the Netherlands, with its grand Main Hall suited for a full orchestra, a Small Hall for quartets and chamber music and the Choir Hall for intimate recitals. The programming will suit the tastes of discerning listeners as well as beginners. Except everything from concerts for babies and children, to free lunchtime recitals on Wednesday afternoons year-round with the exception of July and August.
Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ
Since its founding in 2005, Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ has become known for its inspirational programme of contemporary music, as well as classical, jazz, and other genres. Home to multiple festivals throughout the year, such as the Cello Biennale, this venue is extremely versatile thanks to its main concert hall’s flexible and movable ceilings and walls. This allows easy conversion into smaller halls for intimate chamber music or extension for bigger ensembles, without any loss of acoustics. There’s always something on the agenda to please fans of classical music, from Schubert and Beethoven to modern composers and young talent.
National Opera & Ballet
Classical music goes hand in hand with opera and ballet. Don’t miss the brilliant performances lined up in the National Opera & Ballet, from The Sleeping Beauty and the Nutcracker, to Carmen, Turandot, Dido and Aeneas, and much more.
Orgelpark
Housed in the heritage-listed Parkkerk close to Vondelpark, Orgelpark is an international concert hall hosting church organ concerts as well as quartets and small ensembles.
Museum Geelvinck
Museum Geelvinck is known for its pianola collection, but it’s also a small and intimate venue for classical music concerts, with a particular focus on the piano.
Church concerts
Situated in one of the oldest and most charming parts of Amsterdam, Noorderkerk is an idyllic setting for a matinee classical concert, regularly attracting an audience of classical experts and curious newcomers. Concerts typically run from September through May on Saturday afternoons.
NedPhO Koepel, a former church in the Indische Buurt, is hosting free open rehearsals and children’s concerts by the Netherlands Philharmonic and Chamber Orchestras.
Many concerts across various Amsterdam churches are scheduled on the Stadsherstel website. You will find performances in such churches as De Waalse Kerk, De Duif, Oosterkerk, Vondelkerk, Amstelkerk, Het Zonnehuis theatre in Amsterdam Noord, and more.
The Oudekerk is one of Amsterdam’s oldest building and it holds concerts played on its beautiful organ.
Events
Grachtenfestival
The Canal Festival is a yearly classical music festival that happens on the Amsterdam canals in August. The city is transformed as the concerts happen in parks, streets and on the water. You will often see passers-by in boats linger along the canals to enjoy the music played on the pontoons. Tickets get sold out fast so keep an eye out for performances you might be interested in. The festival also has a Junior division, perfect for some musical family-time.
Cello Bienalle
The Cello Biennale Amsterdam is a ten-day international music festival dedicated to the cello. In 2022, the Cello Biennale will take place from 20 to 29 October in the BIMHUIS and the Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ with a lineup that features classical, contemporary, jazz, pop, rock, improvisation, electro and other genres.
VriendenLoterij Summer Concerts
The summer programming of Het Koninklijk Concertgebouw Amsterdam has more than 80 concerts ranging from classical to jazz and pop. Local and international orchestras will take you into the world of Beethoven, Mozart and Dvořák. Fans of film shouldn’t miss the film music concerts such as the John Williams tribute or the Star Wars: Return of the Jedi viewing accompanied by a live performance by the Residentie Orkest.
Classical music at Amstelveld
This three-day free open-air festival takes place on the Amstelveld in early September. The festival celebrates young talent and will feature The Netherlands Youth String Orchestra.
String Quartet Biennale Amsterdam
Every two years the String Quartet Biennale celebrates the string quartet with over sixty concerts and over thirty quartets from all over the world performing in the Amsterdam Muziekgebouw. The programme blends classical and contemporary influences to celebrate the combination of two violins, a viola and cello. The next Biennale is schedule for 2024.
Pianoduo Festival Amsterdam
This two-piano festival covers everything from classical and jazz to film and tango with performances across various Amsterdam locations.In 2022, the Pianoduo Festival will take place from 30 November to 4 December.
Geelvinck Fortepiano Festival
The annual Geelvinck festival is the largest of its kind worldwide in the historic fortepiano sphere. In 2022, the festival has taken place online and is slated to return in full force in 2023.
Zeven bruggen Festival
In 2022, the Festival of the Seven bridges is taking place from Sunday 12 to Sunday 19 June and will feature performances of Camille Saint-Saëns, Rachmaninoff, Schubert and others in the Vondelkerk, Amstelkerk and Singelkerk.
