Duo De Maeyer /Kende
     violin, piano
Program proposals 2019/20

Program I: 'From Bach to Auerbach'

Messiaen: Theme and variations for violin and piano
Bach: Sonata for violin and piano BWV 1014o
Stravinsky: Suite italienne for violin and pianoo
     intermissiono
Auerbach: Preludes for violin and pianoo
Martinu: Sonata nr. 3 for violin and piano

Program 2: 'Belle époque'

Franck: Melancholy for violin and pianoo
Strauss: Sonata for violin and piano op. 18o
     intermissiono
Franck: Sonata for violin and pianoo
Strauss: 'Morgen' for violin and piano

Program 3: 'A love affair'

Robert Schumann: Arabesque for pianoo
Clara Schumann: 3 Romances op. 22 for violin and pianoo
Brahms: Sonata nr. 1 op. 78 for violin and pianoo
     intermissiono
Clara Schumann: Romance for pianoo
Brahms: Intermezzi op. 117o
Robert Schumann: Sonata for violin and piano

Programma 4: 'Vienese School'

Schubert: Sonata nr. 2 for violin and pianoo
Beethoven: Sonata nr. 3 for violin and pianoo
     intermissiono
Schubert: Fantasy for violin and piano

After their successes at international competitions - including the Queen Elizabeth Competition in Belgium, Jolente De Maeyer and Nikolaas Kende began performing as soloists with all major Belgian orchestras. Highlights were the concert tours of Beethoven's Violin Concerto with the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Philippe Herreweghe, and the Brahms 2nd piano concerto with the Brussels Philharmonic under Ainars Rubikis.

As a duo, concerts throughout Europe followed. De Maeyer/Kende has performed in major halls and festivals such as the Festival of Flanders, Festival de Montpellier, Festival de Menton and the Prague Symphony chamber music series. Their collaboration for over 15 years has elicited enthusisastic reviews by the press, who has remarked on their exceptional synergy and harmony. In the 2017-18 season, the duo made their debut in Florida, Vermont, California, Washington DC, Texas, Ontario, South Africa and China. Highlights of 2018-19 season will include debuts in Illinois, New York State and Nova Scotia and concerts in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Portugal, the UK and China.

Following De Maeyer's 'Editors Choice' award by Diapason and the 'Young Soloist of the Year' award by Belgian classical Radio Klara, Warner Classics released their duo recording, 'Kreutzer Sonata' in 2016. The CD won the 'Gold Label Prize' for best chamber music album by Klassiek Centraal.

Having had their training at the conservatories of London, Berlin, Brussels and Munich with artists such as Augustin Dumay and Elisso Virsaladze, these artists are now professors at conservatories in Belgium and the Netherlands and have given masterclasses in Belgium, Germany, Italy, Texas, California and China.

Individual biographies

'Completely spellbinding not just in technical matters but in stylistic sensibility and musical characterisation as well' - The Gramophone

One of the leading Belgian violinists, Jolente De Maeyer, has brought her virtuosity and passionate interpretations to diverse global audiences. She is recognized as an exceptionally gifted artist, reflected in the numerous awards and effusive reviews she has received for both her live performances and recordings.

Prizewinner of several international competitions in Portugal (Cardona Competition), Russia (Liana Issakadze Competition) and London (Benjamin Britten Competition), the international carreer of Jolente started with a succesful participation at the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels.

Performances with all major Belgian orchestras and concert tours in Europe and America followed. She made her debut in Florida, Vermont, California, Washington DC and Canada in 2017. This was followed by an extensive tour in South Africa. Future engagements include concert tours in Europe, Canada, America and China.

Her recordings include concerti by Saint-Saens and Vieuxtemps with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Liege with Christian Arming, awarded an 'Editors Choice' from Diapason, and the CD 'Kreutzer sonata' with duo partner Nikolaas Kende, awarded a 'Gold Label' from Klassiek Centraal.

After an invitation from Yehudi Menuhin when she was 14 years old, Jolente studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School near London. She continued her studies in London, Berlin and Waterloo where she graduated in the class of Augustin Dumay in 2013.

Since 2018 Jolente is professor violin at the Conservatory of Tilburg, the Netherlands and has given masterclasses in Belgium, Germany, Italy, Texas and California.

'Poet in every inch of his fingers' - Le Progres

Nikolaas Kende has been praised for his poetic playing and honest and passionate musicality. Critics have honored his sensitive and visionary musicianship and his flawless skills always serving the music. Both as soloist and chamber musician he is a highly demanded pianist on international concert stages.

A winner of several competitions, including the Cantabile, EPTA, and Tenuto competitions, his successful participation at the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels (2007) was followed by concerts in most European countries and an American debut (2009) with the 1st piano concerto of Brahms. This debut was well received in the press, "One could almost imagine a young Brahms at the keyboard doing precisely the same thing: more intent on communicating his piece than dazzling listeners with his performance."

2015 marked his solo debut in Mozambique and South Africa; followed by debuts in Florida, Vermont, California, Washington DC and Canada. In 2018 he made his Chinese debut with an extensive recital tour. Future projects include concert tours, both solo and in duo with Jolente De Maeyer, in Europe, Canada, North America, South-Africa and China. Nikolaas studied in Antwerp with his parents, Heidi Hendrickx and Levente Kende, in Amsterdam with Jan Wijn and in Munich and Fiesole with Elisso Virsaladze. In addition he studied with such artists as Murray Perahia and Radu Lupu.

In 2015, Nikolaas was appointed professor of piano at the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp. He has given masterclasses in Belgium, Germany, Italy, Texas, California and China.

BRILLIANT RUSSIAN DUO IN REDWOOD ARTS COUNCIL OCCIDENTAL RECITAL

“Thrilling… The two stellar Russians gave the finest cello recital in the North Bay since the Isserlis-Gerstein concert in Newman long ago. Their musical marriage was passionately united in the service of great music.”
Classical Sonoma

“Stunned is the perfect way to describe the audience reaction… they were both truly amazing. We were all just riveted.”
Dan Silver, Mobile Chamber Music Society

“In my humble opinion, the recital yesterday rivaled any I have ever heard, here or anywhere else.”
Mobile audience member

“…their great virtuosity contributed to an electric performance of musical depth…”
Harry Strub, Virtuosi Concerts, Winnipeg

“Boris and Alex's performance in Tucson was a jewel.”
Bryan Daum, Arizona Friends of Chamber Music

“Their performance was absolutely astounding. In each work they went to the essence of the music. I have heard many performances of Shostakovich's music over the years but I can say that this contrast I speak of between purity, beauty and love and the darkness and dangers that surround that light was never more clearly, artfully articulated than by Andrianov and Kobrin.”
Carl Baum, Sunset Concerts audience member

Recording Kreutzer Sonata

Kreutzer Sonata: Adagio Sostenuto - Presto

Kreutzer Sonata: Finale

Shostakovich: Prelude No 10

Shostakovich: Prelude No 16

Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 9 in A Major, Op. 47, 'Kreutzer': I. Adagio sostenuto - Presto

Part: Fratres

Shostakovich: Preludes, Op. 34: No. 12 in G-Sharp Minor (Allegretto non troppo)

Shostakovich: Preludes, Op. 34: No. 15 in D-Flat Major (Allegretto) [arr Tsyganov]