Michael Gieler & Lauretta Bloomer

Violist Michael Gieler and pianist Lauretta Bloomer have been performing together since 1986. Their long-standing musical friendship has brought them to concert halls across Europe — including Splendor, where they now return with a rich and varied programme of German music for viola.

The programme features works by three composers who each gave the viola a distinctive voice. Johann Sebastian Bach — who played the viola himself — wrote his Gamba Sonata in G minor, BWV 1029 with a depth and texture that translates beautifully to the viola. Robert Schumann’s Märchenbilder, composed specifically for viola and piano, are among the most poetic and intimate works in the Romantic chamber music repertoire. And Paul Hindemith’s Der Schwanendreher is perhaps the viola concerto of the 20th century — bold, witty, and originally written for viola and orchestra, here performed in a powerful arrangement for piano.

Programme:
J.S. Bach: Sonata for Gamba in G minor, BWV 1029
R. Schumann: Märchenbilder
P. Hindemith: Der Schwanendreher (concerto)

Michael Gieler, viola
Lauretta Bloomer, piano

Member concert
Splendor can only be the independent and free hub that it is, thanks to the members who support us. We pay them back with our specialty: music. Every year, all Splendor musicians play one concert that's free for this crucial group to whom Splendor owes its everyday existence. Combined with many other events, this means that our members have free entrance to over 50 concerts a year for €9,99 p/m (and €4,99 p/m for minima and students!) – and receive a discount for all other concerts. Pretty good deal, right?

The members enable Splendor to remain independent, which is the only way to secure real freedom in programming, experimentation, risk-taking and the promotion of young, upcoming artists. If you can think of another place without a central programming, where last-minute concerts can be planned any moment, where there is no backstage and artists and audience are constantly mingling and hanging out at the bar, where mysterious creative outbursts can be presented that are often labeled 'too risky' elsewhere, and that still guarantees high quality by unleashing the best of The Netherlands' music scene in this creative playground – you get a free membership!

Would you rather just visit this concert without becoming a member? You're more than welcome! Buy your ticket(s) below.