From May 13 to 17, the Residentie Orkest was on tour. One orchestra, two cities, three programs and four beautiful concerts in five days away from home. Some of our musicians talk about their impressions and how important a tour can be.

It Residentie Orkest gave four concerts in two of Europe's most beautiful cities. In the Slovenian capital Ljubljana they played in a sold-out Gallus Hall and in Salzburg, known for The Sound of Music and of course for child prodigy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, no less than three concerts were given in the Grosses Festspielhaus. The program included works by Mendelssohn, Schumann, Prokofiev, Beethoven, Brahms and Dohnányi. All under the direction of conductor Ruth Reinhardt and every evening with star pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason behind the concert grand piano. And very special: a number of our Club RO members traveled with the orchestra to Salzburg.

It Residentie Orkest doesn't often go on tour. "So when we do go," says our first violinist Hester van der Vlugt, "everyone looks forward to it! You're largely disconnected from all the daily things at home. But musically it's also great to play together in halls where you don't know the acoustics yet. Just to find the balance together." And not unimportant is the fact that a tour connects the musicians on a social level: "On tour there's time to eat together between rehearsals and the concert and afterwards you go to the bar for a glass of wine or a beer. You talk to colleagues that you may not have really talked to at home."

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According to Wouter Iseger, our bass trombonist, a tour also has something special. “Just because everyone has exactly the same thing for a few days What's on has: traveling, rehearsing and giving concerts. No more gigs, teaching, other work, taxiing children to hobbies, shopping or other daily chores. And because of this, you as colleagues really have to rely on each other for a while. It is significant that after a long journey there, a rehearsal and a great concert (and of course a small drink afterwards to celebrate) we were ready the next morning at half past seven with a large group to visit Ljubljana before leaving for Salzburg. Then you notice that everyone is on the same page. Incidentally, this ritual was repeated daily: an early breakfast and a brisk walk before the rehearsal (often with suspiciously many steps...). This is how you get to the most wonderful conversations, also with colleagues you don't speak to that often; sometimes very serious and often with tears of laughter as a result.”

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“And with just that little bit of extra connection, you then all sit on stage again with just one goal: to play a beautiful concert in the hope of giving the large audience an unforgettable evening. Then you can only be very proud of all those people on and behind the stage, who together make the Residentie Orkest forms; colleagues who have nestled even deeper in my heart after these wonderful days!”

It Residentie Orkest is grateful that this tour went so well with wonderful concerts and thanks conductor Ruth Reinhardt for her inspiring leadership, pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason for her wonderful playing and tour partner Askonas Holt for the pleasant cooperation.

The photos are by Nick van Silfhout.