Zemtsov Masterfest

Every year, the renowned Zemtsov family organises their unique master class for viola students and advanced amateur players from all over the world. After the first successful edition of the viola festival "Masterfest" in 2023, it is already time for the one in 2024. Enriched by last year's experience, the Zemtsov Foundation has enthusiastically started organising another music festival dedicated to the viola, which will take place from 29 April to 5 May 2024.

The former monastery and now conference centre Bovendonk in the Brabant village of Hoeven is also the venue this time.

The programme is built around master classes for (inter)national professional students and the occasional talented amateur, given by leading viola pedagogues, such as members of the Zemtsov viola family, Michael Kugel and others, and further consists of concerts, lectures, tours and activities aimed at the youth and residents of Hoeven and its surroundings. So come to Bovendonk to enjoy a wonderful week full of viola and other (chamber) music sounds at the highest level! The viola deserves to be put in the spotlight, not only because it is such a beautiful instrument, but also because it is a relatively unknown member of the string family, overshadowed as it usually is by the violin and the cello.

During Masterfest, you will get to know the viola better and will understand how indispensable the instrument is in almost all types and genres of music. You will be amazed by its versatility and surprised by the many beautiful pieces of music written for the viola, whether in combination with other instruments or not. And you will also find that a lot of young viola players have their hearts set on it.

During the week, you can visit a fantastic concert every day. With this Passe-Partout you can visit all the concerts, lecture and master classes throughout the week for € 150,00

Mon 29-04-2024
10:00 Opening master classes
11:00-13:00 Master classes
14:00-18:00 Master classes
19:00 Opening of the Masterfest with reception
20:00                           Opening concert with Dana Zemtsov, viola and Anna Fedorova, piano
The festival will be opened by two world-renowned musicians and best friends Anna Fedorova and Dana Zemtsov. Together they have performed many times, on the best stages in the world. Anna and Dana have recorded several albums together: 'Silhouettes' and 'Dutch Hidden Gems' (with the Phion Orchestra conducted by Shizuo Z Kuwahara), on the Channel Classics Records label.

Di 30-04-2024
09:00-13:00 Master classes
15:00-19:00 Master classes
19.00 Lecture by musicologist Leo Samama
20.00                          Concert by young talent from the Davidsbündler Academy with students of the Zemtsov Masterclass
In this concert, students from the Davidsbündler Music Academy will perform along with students from the Zemtsov Masterclasses. The Davidsbündler Music Academy offers an intensive and innovative method of high-level classical music education to dedicated pianists and string players. The academy was founded by world-renowned Ukrainian star pianist Anna Fedorova and Nicholas Santangelo Schwartz, double bassist of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Some of their most promising students from Ukraine will participate in this concert.

Wed 01-05-2024
09:00-13:00 Master classes
15:00-19:00 Master classes
20:00                           Concert Visions of Goldberg by The Hague String Trio with visual artist 

Lizette Huizinga
An entirely new, unique experience with the performance of Johann Sebastian Bach's Goldberg Variations: in collaboration with digital artist Lisette Huizenga, a surprising combination of image and music will be created by means of a stop motion animation film that will be projected as a moving scenery on a screen during the concert. A performance is created, inspired by and in the service of Bach's music, with a nod to the work of Escher, great admirer of Bach, that will be fascinating and astonishing for the audience. In a world where everything seems to go fast and information has to be short and manageable, this performance offers a welcome contrast. A time out where the audience can sit back and be immersed in the beauty of music and visual art.

Do 02-05-2024
09:00-13:00 Master classes
15:00-19:00 Master classes
20:00                           Side-by-side, through Elisabeth Perry, violin, Sebastian Kolosky, cello and Katherine Routley, violin and master class students
This week, students of the Zemtsov Masterclass have been rehearsing with Elisabeth Perry, Katherine Routley and Sebastian Kolosky, and they will now have the chance to perform a concert with these fantastic musicians. With these beautiful quintets by Mozart and Beethoven, in the midst of these seasoned musicians, they will have an unforgettable stage experience.

Fri 03-05-2024
09:00-13:00 Master classes
15:00-19:00 Master classes
20:00                           Soloist competition
The most advanced and promising students of the master classes will perform R. Schumann's Fantasy Pieces. The winning student will perform this piece at the final concert on Sunday, 5 May, accompanied by the Masterfest Viola Orchestra.

Za 04-05-2024
09:00-13:00 Master classes
15:00-18:00 Master classes
20:30                           Commemorative concert by the Zemtsov Viola Quartet
After the commemoration of the dead, this concert will start at 20.30, with music specially written or arranged for this special ensemble form: four violas. The Zemtsov family at their best!

Sun 05-05-2024
15:00                           Festive Final Masterfest concert
A dazzling final concert of the festival, by selected students, the winner of the Soloist Competition and Zemtsov Masterfest Viola Orchestra, conducted by Mikhail Zemtsov.

The chapel concert will take place in Bovendonk Chapel, Hofstraat 8, 4741 AK Hoeven. The chapel opens half an hour before curtain-up. For a complete weekend away, you can book an overnight stay at Hotel Bovendonk or at any of the other overnight locations in Halderberge.