Pärt & Tavener 

Let cellist and conductor Matthew Barley take you on a spiritual journey through sound. The concert opens with Arvo Pärt's Fratres, a meditative work that unfolds slowly, like a musical breath - each note emerging carefully from the silence. From there, Barley's own inspired improvisation and Astor Piazzolla's tango Milonga del Angel will lead us into Pärt's Festina lente, a piece of enchanting simplicity that resonates with serene beauty and spiritual depth. Pärt's music invites you to pause and listen to the spaces between the notes.

The evening culminates in John Tavener's The Protecting Veil. Inspired by the cloak of the Virgin Mary - a symbol of protection, warmth and love - the music wraps around us like a tender embrace. The cello becomes Mary's voice, engaging in a moving dialogue with the orchestra, where Matthew Barley acts as both conductor and storyteller. The atmosphere of the Nieuwe Kerk enhances the evening's sense of wonder, with every note feeling like a whisper to the soul. A performance that will stay with you long after the final note.