On Saturday 22 November, Calefax Reed Quintet will premiere Michel van der Aa’s Link at Amsterdam’s Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ. Commissioned to mark Calefax’s 40th anniversary, this new work embodies collaboration on an unprecedented scale: 40 reed quintets worldwide have each performed a section of the piece over the past 40 days, with video documentation available at link.reedquintet.net.

The title carries multiple meanings: it refers to passages in the odd-numbered movements that demand exceptional precision in ensemble coordination, and more broadly, it represents Calefax’s connection to the international reed quintet community that has flourished in their wake.

Structured as five movements alternating between fast and slow tempos and performed without interruption, “Link” showcases individual virtuosity while primarily celebrating the reed quintet as an ensemble. The work honors both Calefax’s pioneering legacy and the thriving global community that continues to expand the possibilities of this distinctive instrumental form.

Link was commissioned by the Calefax Reed Quintet, with the generous support of Akropolis Reed Quintet, Kalamos Reed Quintet, and Paradise Winds.

Read more about “Link”.