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In the spotlight: RAGAZZI wins 2nd prize at the Oskar Back Jonge Makers Competition

  • Music
  • ArtEZ Prizewinner

On 28 January, the Young Makers Competition, a part of the Netherlands Violin Competition, took place. RAGAZZI, a string quintet comprised of two violins and three cellists, took second prizeOur own Ischa Kooistra and Reinout de Vey Mestdagh, both Classical Music students at ArtEZ Conservatory in Zwolle, make up two of the cello voices in RAGAZZI. The third cellist, Joshua Herwig, also studied at ArtEZ in the Preparatory School and now studies at the Conservatory of Amsterdam.” Violinists Noah Hassler Forest and Wouter Torringa complete the quintet.

RAGAZZI, L-R: Ischa Kooistra, Noah Hassler-Forrest, Joshua Herwig, Wouter Torringa, Reinout de Vey Mestdagh
RAGAZZI, L-R: Ischa Kooistra, Noah Hassler-Forrest, Joshua Herwig, Wouter Torringa, Reinout de Vey Mestdagh

During the competition, musicians were invited to combine classical music with other musical genres such as folk and jazz. Ischa and Reinout describe their artistic process: "As a group we compose a lot of our own pieces, sometimes through improvisation. The final stage of the competition was in three parts. First was to create a modern interpretation of a classical piece. We also had to write a work based on the national anthem of a country of our choosing and finally, to perform one of our own pieces. Among other things, we chose to compose a piece reinterpreting several themes by A. Arensky." 

Innovative approaches

The Jury’s verdict was: “RAGAZZI surprised audiences, which were present partially in-person at Tivioli Vredenburg in Utrecht and partially via livestream, with their broad range of sounds and tonal possibilities produced by string instruments, expressive stretches of tension and innovative approach to the classical string quintet. Their performance showed a finely-tuned sensitivity toward blending with each other’s sounds, making for some real chamber musicianship. The most surprising moment was when they all stood up and sang in close 5-part harmony. 

Source: Dutch Violin Competition 

 

The most surprising moment was when all the members stood up and sang in close 5-part harmony. 
Dutch Violin Competition

 

On the radio: NPO Radio 4

ArtEZ students Ischa and Reinout first and foremost were just happy that they could let loose onstage once again: “We’re really hoping to be able to give more concerts in the future. In any case, the competition was an ideal stepping stone. We will also be in the studio soon to record our first album!” RAGAZZI found themselves in the studio as well on 31 January, this time with a performance of their variations on themes by Arensky, on NPO Radio 4. You can watch the recording of their performance below: