More about Hester
2024
I started taking violin lessons when I was three years old. I started according to the Suzuki method (music is a language, which you can learn at an early age, just like you learn to talk). Then I had private lessons from violin pedagogue Bouw Lemkes, after which I went on to the Conservatory of Amsterdam. There I studied the bachelor with Johannes Leertouwer and did my master with Ilya Grubert.
I like many different kinds of music. But if you ask my favorite composer I still always come back to Brahms.
I have been playing in youth orchestras such as the Netherlands Youth Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra and the European Youth Orchestra since a young age. My heart lies with the symphonic repertoire. But I also really enjoy playing pop music or film music with the Cinemusic orchestra where I am concertmaster.
I like to take on challenges. Like at Pynarello, where we build bridges to other genres and play compositions like Tchaikovsky 6 and Shostakovich 9 without a conductor and by heart!
I was able to buy a beautiful Johannes Cuypers from 1806 several years ago. It was love at first sight.
What do I like to listen to?
Chausson - Poème by Ginette Neveu. She has an enchanting sound I think. Even though it may be dated, she tells a story.
R. Strauss - Vier Letzte Lieder by Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
The Last part of Ma Mère l'Oye by Ravel - Le jardin féerique
Schönberg - Verklärte Nacht
But I also often listen to non-classical works such as Voilà by Barbara Pravi or La vie en rose by Édith Piaf.
Van der Vlugt&Co
With my brother, Floris van der Vlugt, my father, Bram van der Vlugt and good friend Lucas Dols, I formed the theater company Van der Vlugt&Co. Among other things, we made a performance about the mistaken bombing of the Bezuidenhout in The Hague where my father lived during World War II.