by Henk van Twillert
I embarked on a musical journey at age nine that would shape my life forever. Under the guidance of Henk de Graaf, I took my first steps into the world of saxophone music. As I honed my skills at the Amersfoort School of Music, Jacques Landa became my mentor, guiding me through the intricacies of clarinet and saxophone. At the Sweelinck Conservatory of Amsterdam, under Ed Bogaard's tutelage, I reached a milestone, earning a Diploma in Solo Performance with the highest honors Cum Laude.
Fueled by a burning passion for music, I founded the Amsterdam Saxophone Quartet in 1979 and The Amsterdam Soloist Quintet in 1994, setting the stage for a journey filled with captivating performances and unforgettable experiences.
From sharing the stage with luminaries like Jaap of Zweden, Inessa Galante and Carlos do Carmo to enchanting audiences worldwide, every moment has been a testament to my dedication to the art form. Solo concerts for my former Queen of the Netherlands, Princes Beatrix, prestigious events like the closing concert of WORLD EXPO 1998 in Lisbon and last but not least the opening of the Johan Cruyff Arena Football Stadium in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, added rich layers to my musical tapestry.
Transitioning from mentoring saxophone students at the Amsterdam Conservatory to a guest lecturer role, I became the professor of the first saxophone class in Porto, Portugal, at the Superior School of Music and Performing Arts Porto (ESMAE) in 1999. At ESMAE, I formed the internationally acclaimed saxophone group “Vento do Norte,” touring Europe, North and South America, and the Caribbean. Additionally, I opened the saxophone class at the University of Aveiro, Portugal.
My extensive collection of vinyl and CD recordings includes collaborations with Vento do Norte, pianist Tjako van Schie, and a celebrated album featuring Johann Sebastian Bach's Cello Suites transcribed for baritone saxophone. After my debut at the prestigious New Port Music Festival in the United States with soprano Inessa Galante, I pursued doctoral studies in New York from 2009 to 2011, receiving my PhD in Musical Studies in 2013. My dissertation focused on “Johann Sebastian Bach's Cello Suites, Transcription and Interpretation for Baritone Saxophone.” During my time in America, I began songwriting and became a bandleader, launching my album “New York.”
The journey has been punctuated by inspiration and reflection, from performing world wide in illustrious concert halls to connecting with young minds through educational programs. In 2019, the recognition bestowed upon me with the "Medalha de Merit" I received in Aveiro, Portugal, was a humbling affirmation of my cultural contributions.
As I stood on the stage of the "Thomaskirche" concert hall in Leipzig, Germany, in February of 2024, I could not help but marvel at the twists and turns that had led me to this moment. Each note resonated with the echoes of my journey, reminding me that pursuing music is not just a vocation but a lifelong odyssey of self-discovery and expression.
Henk van Twillert
Amsterdam, April 2024
Fueled by a burning passion for music, I founded the Amsterdam Saxophone Quartet in 1979 and The Amsterdam Soloist Quintet in 1994, setting the stage for a journey filled with captivating performances and unforgettable experiences.
From sharing the stage with luminaries like Jaap of Zweden, Inessa Galante and Carlos do Carmo to enchanting audiences worldwide, every moment has been a testament to my dedication to the art form. Solo concerts for my former Queen of the Netherlands, Princes Beatrix, prestigious events like the closing concert of WORLD EXPO 1998 in Lisbon and last but not least the opening of the Johan Cruyff Arena Football Stadium in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, added rich layers to my musical tapestry.
Transitioning from mentoring saxophone students at the Amsterdam Conservatory to a guest lecturer role, I became the professor of the first saxophone class in Porto, Portugal, at the Superior School of Music and Performing Arts Porto (ESMAE) in 1999. At ESMAE, I formed the internationally acclaimed saxophone group “Vento do Norte,” touring Europe, North and South America, and the Caribbean. Additionally, I opened the saxophone class at the University of Aveiro, Portugal.
My extensive collection of vinyl and CD recordings includes collaborations with Vento do Norte, pianist Tjako van Schie, and a celebrated album featuring Johann Sebastian Bach's Cello Suites transcribed for baritone saxophone. After my debut at the prestigious New Port Music Festival in the United States with soprano Inessa Galante, I pursued doctoral studies in New York from 2009 to 2011, receiving my PhD in Musical Studies in 2013. My dissertation focused on “Johann Sebastian Bach's Cello Suites, Transcription and Interpretation for Baritone Saxophone.” During my time in America, I began songwriting and became a bandleader, launching my album “New York.”
The journey has been punctuated by inspiration and reflection, from performing world wide in illustrious concert halls to connecting with young minds through educational programs. In 2019, the recognition bestowed upon me with the "Medalha de Merit" I received in Aveiro, Portugal, was a humbling affirmation of my cultural contributions.
As I stood on the stage of the "Thomaskirche" concert hall in Leipzig, Germany, in February of 2024, I could not help but marvel at the twists and turns that had led me to this moment. Each note resonated with the echoes of my journey, reminding me that pursuing music is not just a vocation but a lifelong odyssey of self-discovery and expression.
Henk van Twillert
Amsterdam, April 2024
