On World Violin Day, Emmy Storms and Joseph Puglia present a homage to the renowned Dutch violin duo Lemkes & Vos. Inspired by their interest in physics, the couple Bouw Lemkes (1924–2016) and Jeanne Vos (1926–2000) developed, from 1959 onwards, a refined approach to tuning principles as a violin duo. Impressive performances of Henk Badings’ first sonata for two violins attracted the attention of both Professor Adriaan Fokker and the international concert circuit. This led to a long-standing collaboration between the violinists, Badings, and Fokker. In addition to a concerto for two violins and orchestra, Henk Badings composed a total of four out of the five sonatas for violin duo in the 31-tone system.
Other composers also wrote specifically for Lemkes & Vos. For instance, Hans Kox dedicated his Serenade for two violins in the 31-tone system (1968) to them. Furthermore, composers such as the American Joel Mandelbaum, the Australian Bill Coates, and the Dutchman Alphonse Stallaert created works for the duo. Not to be forgotten is Anton de Beer, the former principal organist of the Fokker organ, who is also included in the programme. By performing works from the repertoire of this illustrious pair, the new violin duo Puglia & Storms will undoubtedly follow in their footsteps.
However, the programme of this historic concert does not feature only violin duos. At the request of Joseph Puglia, who in 2010 performed several microtonal works by Hans Kox in the Fokker organ series, a reprise of the monumental Synaesthesia Suite will also be presented, in a version for violin and 31-tone organ by Kate Moore, which she specially composed for him in 2014. In all other works on the programme, Puglia is accompanied by the outstanding violinist Emmy Storms, winner of the Grachtenfestival Prize 2019. First organist Ere Lievonen provides accompaniment on the Fokker organ.
Homage to Lemkes & Vos is one of the few concerts that can be experienced in December at the Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ. With only 30 attendees per concert, it is not feasible for the Muziekgebouw to carry out its regular programming. Our concert with top violinists Joseph Puglia and Emmy Storms, accompanied by Ere Lievonen on the Fokker organ, is part of the alternative programme Muziekgebouw Up Close. This is a new series of concerts in which local top musicians perform an engaging programme in an intimate setting. Music journalist Frederike Berntsen welcomes the audience and provides insight into the music and the lives behind it. We hope to greet you personally in the Kleine Zaal. If there is sufficient interest, a second concert will take place at 13:00.