Cello8ctet Amsterdam

A unique formation in the world of music. “Eight top cellists… Total technical perfection, intensity and colourful interpretation.” (The Strad, 2009). The Amsterdam Cello8ctet stands for new music and successful crossovers between various musical styles and arts.

      Thanks to the ensemble’s radiant performances, the Octet is able to offer original works by today’s most notable composers. The Octet has played over 70 first performances, most of them dedicated to the Octet, by composers including Xenakis, Nobre, Halffter, Donatoni, De Pablo, Denisov, Gubaidulina, Pärt, Boulez, Loevendie, Riley, Kagel and Glass. Arvo Pärt said after the première of his work for the Octet: “The Octet is a piece of gold, I discovered this group 10 years too late.”

      The Octet also plays some 100 beautiful Spanish songs (Turina, De Falla, Nin, Montsalvatge, Granados, Guridi, Albéniz) and South-Americans (Villa-Lobos, Ginastera, Guastavino, Piazzolla) that have been a pleasant surprise to many an audience for several years.

      The Amsterdam Cello8ctet has shown enormous diversity over the years: concerts with Teresa Berganza, Elena Gragera or Isabelle van Keulen, performances with Cristina Branco and Bløf, dance productions with Conny Janssen’s Rotterdam dance company and Caribbean grooves with Izaline Calister.

      The Octet was founded in 1989 under the name Conjunto Ibérico. In addition to concerts in Europe’s most prominent concerthalls, the Amsterdam Cello8ctet has also performed in the US, Canada, Central and South America, Asia and the Middle East. The world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma said in an interview: “This ensemble is a treasure indeed, a fine example to the world of music… Wherever I play: Brazil, Japan, USA, people talk to me about the Cello Octet…” 

Stephan Heber

As a cellist, Stephan is an enthousiastic narrator with a fine story. Always in search of beauty and refinement, in sound, art, life…

      A true master in rethoric, he watches over the musical phrase: form, motive and expression. His sense for style and eye for detail make the ensemble eloquent. 

www.stephanheber.com

Claire Bleumer

Our funky cellist who makes the Octet groove! Her confident, maestoso sound and powerful rhythm are a tower of strenght. Everybody would like to sit next to her.

      Claire is subtle and smart, and is very much engaged with the Octet, the music and the cello. Her strong clairvoyant overview and efficient schedules make the ensemble function smoothly. She is our collective memory, walking agenda and helms woman. 

Artur Trajko

Artur, King Artur! He is a natural and inspiring leader, like King Arthur was to the Knights of the Round Table: all equal and indispensible, all fighting for the same ideals. Artur conquers the world with his noble tone and authentic personality. Through the cello he shares his deepest feelings with others – his world, his love, his own self.

      He enjoys life. And the audience in turn enjoys Artur. He is happy with pata negra and a glass of Ribera del Duero and with mutton from Albania, with tango and with Balkan music. 

Karel Bredenhorst

If Karel would be a flavor of Italian ice-cream, he would be Cioccolata al Peperoncino: sweet, spicy and exotic. You can hear it, see it, taste it.

      Always moving, his playing is lively and full of energy. The audience hangs on every note when he improvises. His many creative ideas are fed and steered by unbridled enthusiasm. Karel is an artist who shakes up his environment. 

www.cellist.nl

Oihana Aristizabal Puga

Oihana is a muse. When you hear her play, you want more! She ignites fire in the Octet. Her rhythm could only come from Latin Europe and her sound gives the Octet a Spanish glow.

      Oihana has a strong personality, sparkling and sincere. With her unfailing optimism, the Octet cannot do without her. 

Rares Mihailescu

With the sound of a BMW 6 cylinder and the charisma of a Don Juan, Rares closes our circle. He is a stylist on the cello; he puts audiences under his spell with his noble sound and technical perfection.

      Rares has a nose for good wines and this gives an extra dimension to our tours abroad. Everything he does, he does with passion, love… and in a Dutch down-to-earth way.

Sanne Bijker

The Octet’s philosopher, well balanced and autonomous, has the inner calmness of an elephant. The ensemble vibrates like a pudding on her foundational bass. But she really flourishes between the notes. She thinks beyond borders and dares to bow at the right moment in the wrong direction.

      What she says is beautiful, what she writes is magnificent – thanks to her conceptual talent we can put all our ideas on paper. Her dedication to the Octet is inspiring to all of us. 

Wijnand Hulst

Wijnand is a cello. He’s got everything a cello has: warmth, feeling, soul… Wijnand rocks on his cello. He plays instinctively, and Oihana gets tears in her eyes because of his full, resonating sound.

      Wijnands ideas make the Octet grow. A sensitive, emphatic person; his jokes make problems bearable and solvable.