Programs and Repertoire
Programma's en Repertoire
Scenes of a Folk Life
from duo to octet
Scenes of a Folk Life explores the meeting point between folk traditions from the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway and classical music. Featuring works by Julius Röntgen, Amanda Maier, and Edvard Grieg, the album presents new arrangements for string ensemble that highlight the dances, songs, and shared spirit of these three countries.
Depending on the context and available resources, the programme can be performed in two formats: with four or eight musicians.
Listen here to the first single
Repertoire:
Julius Röntgen:
Old Farmer Songs and Contra Dances
Scenes from Dutch Life, Op. 81
Amanda Maier:
Swedish Melodies and Dances, Op. 6
Edvard Grieg:
4 Norwegian Folk Dances, Op. 35
Bridal Procession, Op 19 No. 2
Intimate Sketches
Agathe String Quartet and Violin & Cello Duo
Agathe's first studio album. All tracks, originally conceived as piano miniatures, are played and recorded by string players for the first time. The pieces, with an average length of only 1 minute (!), have been arranged by Iván, for both the String Quartet and the Violin&Cello Duo.
During the presentation, the pieces from "Intimate Sketches" are performed live by both the string quartet and the duo. In between, the artists provide the insights about the music and the artwork included in the album.
Order the album: Intimate Sketches | Book & CD
Repertoire:
Leoš Janáček:
Intimate Sketches
Three Moravian Folk Dances
Béla Bartók:
Three Hungarian Folk Songs from Csik
Allegro Barbaro Sz. 49
Dmitri Shostakovich
7 Dances of the Dolls
24 Preludes, Op. 34 (selection)
Classical meets Folk
Agathe Violin & Cello Duo
The Violin and Cello duo is a very exceptional one due to the beauty and full range of possibilities offered by both string instruments. However, it is also very challenging for both composers and performers to create textures and harmonies that are usually provided by a full string quartet or a piano.
Great composers such as Haydn, Ravel, Halvorsen, Glière, and Vasks have written for this type of ensemble. Their works are often very virtuosic, requiring high instrumental skills and excellent musical craftsmanship.
Aleksandra and Iván also enjoy exploring and arranging music traditionally played by other instruments, such as Beethoven's duos originally for clarinet and bassoon, or Bartók's Romanian Folk Dances, written for string orchestra. They are also interested in Tango and Celtic folk, rounding out a wide spectrum of musical styles.
Repertoire:
L. van Beethoven
Duo No. 1 in C Major Wo27
Reinhold Glière
8 Morceaux for Violin and Cello, Op. 39
Dmitri Sjostakovitsj
“24 Preludes” op. 34 (selection)
Pēteris Vasks
Castillo Interior
Béla Bartók
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz.56
Myrthe van de Weetering
Jiayou
C. Gardel
El día que me quieras
A. Villoldo
El Choclo
Niall Kenny
Trip to Pakistan
Candlelight Concerts
Agathe String Quartet
Agathe Ensemble has worked together since 2022 with Fever on a unique concert format: Candlelight concerts. These concerts take place in unique venues illuminated by hundreds of candles. The programs offer a wide range of music genres, from classical to pop and film music, including tributes to artists such as Coldplay, ABBA, Queen, Hans Zimmer, John Williams, Joe Hisaishi, and many more.
Candlelight Concerts have captured the hearts of audiences worldwide, breaking barriers and making classical music accessible and appealing to a broad audience. The Candlelight concert series continues to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impression on music lovers.
Repertoire:
Vivaldi's 4 Seasons
Best of Coldplay
Tribute to Hans Zimmer
Tribute to ABBA
Coldplay meets Imagine dragons
Best of Joe Hisaishi
and more!
Translucent Strings
Agathe Violin & Cello Duo
Translucent Strings is one of the latest productions by Agathe Ensemble, blending music and visuals to tell stories.
Violinist Aleksandra Kwiatkowska and cellist Iván Nogueira perform a diverse program featuring 20th and 21st-century music, including "Castillo Interior" by P. Vasks and "Jiayou" by young Dutch composer Myrthe van de Weetering. The program also includes Hungarian and Romanian pieces by B. Bartók and Argentine tango by C. Gardel.
Music and visuals go hand in hand in this production. Visual artist Efthymios Stravopoulos provides projections that match the mood and stimulate the audience's imagination. During the concert, the audience receives insights into the background of each piece, but ultimately, they will discover the stories in a unique way through the combination of sound and visuals.
Translucent Strings is a production by Agathe Ensemble, made possible with support from Fonds Podium Kunsten.
Repertoire:
P. Vasks
Castillo Interior
Myrthe van de Weetering
Jiayou
R. Clarke
Lullaby
Carlos Gardel
El día que me quieras
Béla Bártok
Hungarian Folk Melodies
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz.56