Stefan Woudenberg

Stefan graduated not only as a gambist, but also as a clarinettist. He started clarinet as a nine-year-old boy, but his father also played the instrument, and in a family of professional musicians Stefan wanted to find his own instrument (“I couldn’t choose cello, flute, violin, trombone or trumpet.”). But when he saw the viola da gamba, he was completely sold. From the age of sixteen, he took lessons from Mieneke van der Velden (the regular gambist with the Bach Society) and they now play together in the gamba consort Lyrata, which will soon go on tour to Korea. As a clarinettist, he plays in groups like the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and the Noord Nederlands Orkest.

The Bach Society’s Fellowship gives Stefan the unique opportunity to make connections in the early music world with the viola da gamba – “a very specific instrument that isn’t needed very often.” He has no preference for either classical or Baroque, and likes to alternate. “Although”, he says, “Baroque music always sounds good. It calms you down.”

Over two seasons, the Fellows will perform in several concert series by the Netherlands Bach Society. This season, Stefan has already appeared in the Friends’ Concert. He will be making further appearances in All Souls and Reflect with Bach on 7 December and 31 May, and the Lamentations.