Peter Dijkstra New Chief Conductor Nederlands Kamerkoor
On 1 August 2015 Peter Dijkstra will become the new chief conductor of the Nederlands Kamerkoor. He will take over the position from the Estonian conductor Risto Joost, who has worked with the Nederlands Kamerkoor since 2011. “I have always felt a close bond with the Nederlands Kamerkoor, and after a decade as principal guest conductor, becoming its chief conductor feels like a totally natural step,” says Peter Dijkstra. “I shall do everything I can in this new phase to propel the choir to great heights. My feeling is that with the Nederlands Kamerkoor the sky’s the limit!”
“Peter’s appointment will be of great value in terms of the development and ambition of the Nederlands Kamerkoor. Furthermore, it will give the rich choral music tradition in the Netherlands a tremendous boost,” as the Choir’s general manager Tido Visser puts it. “Peter Dijkstra is a conductor with a major international reputation, and ranks among the world’s very best. He has a very fresh and surprising perspective on music, and what’s more he is a fervent champion of the innumerable amateur choirs in our country. This is also of importance to us, the Nederlands Kamerkoor.”
Until 1 August 2015 leadership of the Nederlands Kamerkoor will remain in the safe hands of Risto Joost. Tido Visser: “Risto has seen to it that the Nederlands Kamerkoor is artistically in perfect health. For that we are particularly grateful to him. We look forward to a splendid season under his leadership.”
Peter Dijkstra will sign a contract for 5 years, with an option of a further 2. Alongside his chief conductorship of the Nederlands Kamerkoor, he will also remain associated with the Swedish Radio Choir, where he has been chief conductor since 2007. Until the summer of 2016 Dijkstra will also remain under contract as artistic director of the Bavarian Radio Choir in Munich.
