Calefax

About

Five reed players walking out on stage without sheet music, performing from memory across a repertoire that stretches from the Renaissance to jazz, is already a statement. Calefax, the Dutch reed quintet, has been doing exactly that for forty years, building one of the most distinctive identities in classical chamber music. The ensemble plays oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bass clarinet and bassoon, and has commissioned over two hundred original works for that combination. The Times called them "five extremely gifted Dutch gents who almost make the reed quintet seem the best musical format on the planet." Their fifth album on PENTATONE, Organisms, lands in their anniversary year, following releases like An American Rhapsody and Bach's Musical Offerings. Past collaborations have included the Orlando Consort, pianist Ivo Janssen, jazz singers Denise Jannah and Astrid Seriese, and choreographer Sanne van der Put. They also run masterclasses and workshops for everyone from conservatoire students to amateur musicians.