who almost made the reed quintet seem the best musical format on the planet. - The Times
More about Calefax
In 1985, the five reed players of Calefax formed the Reed Quintet. At the time it was a completely new genre in music history. Since then, over 80 reed quintets have been founded all over the world. With the online platform reedquintet.net, Calefax wants to unite these reed quintets. The platform serves as a place to for reed quintets to share their missions and stories, and offers a large database of arrangements and original compositions for this formation.
Calefax invites composers of all ages and nationalities to enter its 19th annual Composers Competition. This year, we ask participants to submit a plan for a new composition for reed quintet and wind orchestra. The winning composer receives a € 6.000 prize and their composition will be premièred in November 2027 by the world-renowned Calefax Reed Quintet and Wind Orchestra Amicitia in The Netherlands.
A programme to savour! Each season, Calefax creates a new programme, showcasing highlights from its repertoire. It's a mix of new compositions and popular, well-established signature pieces. Consequently, the programme may differ from one concert venue to another. In this Menu de Saison, Calefax will perform works by Janáček, Ravel and Prokofiev. This programme will be performed both at home and abroad. The musicians will travel to destinations such as Liechtenstein, Turkey and Finland.
Calefax tours six to eight concertprogrammes per season in the Netherlands and tours abroad to a.o. the USA, China, Japan, UK, Eastern-Europe and Germany.
| Wed 23 Sep | Menu de Saison | Festival Klangspuren | Schat / AUT | Info | Tickets | |
| Sun 27 Sep | 20.30 | Menu de Saison | Stadsgehoorzaal | Leiden / NL | Info | Tickets |
| Wed 30 Sep | 20.15 | Menu de Saison | Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ | Amsterdam / NL | Info | Tickets |
| Sat 24 Oct | Menu de Saison | Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall | Istanbul / TR | Info | ||
| Sun 25 Oct | The Music Factory (6+) | Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall | Istanbul / TR | Info | ||
| Thu 29 Oct | 19.00 | Menu de Saison | Hagenhaus | Nendeln / LI | Info | Tickets |
For over three decades, Jelte Althuis has been a defining force within Calefax - as bass clarinetist, arranger, educator and craftsman. His final arrangement for the ensemble, Bach’s Aria Variata, alla Maniera Italiana, BWV 989, is both a fitting farewell and a musical reflection on his extraordinary 32-year journey with the group.
Calefax is delighted to announce their new bass clarinettist: Salome Etter. Salome is an energetic and versatile musician that fits the ensemble effortlessly. We are going to enjoy her musical passion and commitment, both on and off stage.
Participate in the annual Calefax Composers Competition! This year, we ask participants to submit a plan for a new composition for reed quintet and wind orchestra.