Henk van Twillert Biography
At the age of nine, saxophonist Henk van Twillert (1959) received his first saxophone lessons from Henk de Graaf. While attending the Amersfoort School of Music, Henk continued his musical studies on the clarinet and saxophone with Jacques Landa. Upon completion of his instrumental education at the Sweelinck Conservatory of Amsterdam with Ed Bogaard, Henk achieved a Diploma in Solo Performance of the highest level of “Cum Laude”.
The Amsterdam Saxophone Quartet and The Amsterdam Soloist Quintet groups were founded in 1979 through his own musical inspiration. These saxophone groups enjoyed successful world wide touring performances with A.O. Jaap of Zweden, Daniël Wayenberg, Inessa Galante and the renowned god-father of the Portuguese Musical Fado, Carlos do Carmo. In addition to his solo concerts with various orchestra’s, there were a number of remarkable events that had a special impact on his career. Henk enjoyed a solo concert performance for the former Dutch Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, in addition he had a special opportunity to conduct and perform the closing concert of the WORLD EXPO 1998 in Lisbon, Portugal and last but not least the opening of the Johan Cruyff Arena Football Stadium in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Henk van Twillert has a large collection of Vinyl and CD recordings to his credit. In addition to the saxophone ensembles works, Henk has recorded with Vento do Norte, pianist Tjako van Schie and his famous album of all the Cello Suites of Johann Sebastian Bach.
After his debut at the prestigious New Port Music Festival in United States of America with soprano Inessa Galante, Henk remained in New York from 2009- 2011 to pursue his Doctoral studies. He received his PhD in 2013 with his dissertation “Johann Sebastian Bach's Cello Suites, Transcription and Interpretation for Baritone Saxophone.”
At the same while living and studying in America, Henk began songwriting, as lead singer/ bandleader he launched his album “New York”.
After 25 years of mentoring saxophone students at the Amsterdam Conservatory in the Netherlands, Henk changed his position to become a guest lecturer at the same Conservatory.
In 1999, Henk opened and became the professor of the first saxophone class in Portugal, at the Superior School of Music and Performing Arts Porto, Portugal (ESMAE).
This is where Professor van Twillert formed the International acclaimed saxophone group called “Vento do Norte”. The group toured Europe, North and South America as well as the Caribbean. In addition to his work in Porto, he opened as well the first saxophone class at the University of Aveiro, Portugal.
While performing through the world in concerts, Henk always combines his love for music by giving workshops and master classes, carrying in his pocket, his special music program for children “Stars of the Future. In 2019, Henk van Twillert was awarded with the “Medalha de Merit “ for recognition of his outstanding commitment and cultural contribution in Aveiro, Portugal.
Most recently,
Henk van Twillert made his debut in the working place of Johann Sebastian Bach in the “Thomaskirche” in Leipzig, Germany in February of 2024.
The Amsterdam Saxophone Quartet and The Amsterdam Soloist Quintet groups were founded in 1979 through his own musical inspiration. These saxophone groups enjoyed successful world wide touring performances with A.O. Jaap of Zweden, Daniël Wayenberg, Inessa Galante and the renowned god-father of the Portuguese Musical Fado, Carlos do Carmo. In addition to his solo concerts with various orchestra’s, there were a number of remarkable events that had a special impact on his career. Henk enjoyed a solo concert performance for the former Dutch Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, in addition he had a special opportunity to conduct and perform the closing concert of the WORLD EXPO 1998 in Lisbon, Portugal and last but not least the opening of the Johan Cruyff Arena Football Stadium in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Henk van Twillert has a large collection of Vinyl and CD recordings to his credit. In addition to the saxophone ensembles works, Henk has recorded with Vento do Norte, pianist Tjako van Schie and his famous album of all the Cello Suites of Johann Sebastian Bach.
After his debut at the prestigious New Port Music Festival in United States of America with soprano Inessa Galante, Henk remained in New York from 2009- 2011 to pursue his Doctoral studies. He received his PhD in 2013 with his dissertation “Johann Sebastian Bach's Cello Suites, Transcription and Interpretation for Baritone Saxophone.”
At the same while living and studying in America, Henk began songwriting, as lead singer/ bandleader he launched his album “New York”.
After 25 years of mentoring saxophone students at the Amsterdam Conservatory in the Netherlands, Henk changed his position to become a guest lecturer at the same Conservatory.
In 1999, Henk opened and became the professor of the first saxophone class in Portugal, at the Superior School of Music and Performing Arts Porto, Portugal (ESMAE).
This is where Professor van Twillert formed the International acclaimed saxophone group called “Vento do Norte”. The group toured Europe, North and South America as well as the Caribbean. In addition to his work in Porto, he opened as well the first saxophone class at the University of Aveiro, Portugal.
While performing through the world in concerts, Henk always combines his love for music by giving workshops and master classes, carrying in his pocket, his special music program for children “Stars of the Future. In 2019, Henk van Twillert was awarded with the “Medalha de Merit “ for recognition of his outstanding commitment and cultural contribution in Aveiro, Portugal.
Most recently,
Henk van Twillert made his debut in the working place of Johann Sebastian Bach in the “Thomaskirche” in Leipzig, Germany in February of 2024.