Composer, Conceptual Creative Director, and performing artist.
- Artistic Director at the Via Nobel Foundation
- Owner of Music in Amsterdam.
- Based in Amsterdam.
- Publisher: Donemus, The Hague, The Netherlands
Rijndert van Woudenberg is an accomplished composer and performing artist, serving as Artistic Director of the Via Nobel Foundation and owner of Music in Amsterdam. He graduated from the Amsterdam Conservatory in 1996, where he studied Classical and Jazz guitar under Lex Eisenhardt and Hans Kunneman. He further developed his expertise in orchestration with private instruction from Rutger van Leyden and Geert van Keulen. His work spans a diverse range, from contemporary classical music to compositions for film and theater.
In 2009, in celebration of 400 years of trade between Japan and the Netherlands, Van Woudenberg was commissioned to compose for Tokyo’s renowned Ensemble Nomad. The success of this collaboration led to ongoing projects with Japanese musicians and artists, both in Japan and internationally.
Selected Works and Performances
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2009 - Maybe Tomorrow, an Opera
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2009 - Petrarca, a song cycle based on poems by Francesco Petrarca
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2010-2012 - Numerous performances of his guitar compositions in Japan
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2013 - Desiderata for choir, mezzo-soprano, and ensemble, performed in Estonia and the Netherlands with Ensemble NOMAD, Ekaterina Levental, and the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
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2014 - Dharma for Ensemble, China
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2015 - Beyond the Rainbow (Requiem) for ensemble and viola, performed by Ensemble Kochi, conducted by Isao Matsushita, featuring soloist Wakako Hanada (viola)
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2015 - Forest Ways, a violin sonata performed by Wakako Hanada
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2015 - Perron 13 (Platform 13 -13番線ホーム), music for a dance film directed by Camiel Zwart and featuring dancers Shintaro Oue and Kenzo Kusuda, showcased at 45 international film festivals and recipient of seven awards
Research and Notable Projects
Since 2014, Van Woudenberg has studied Japanese traditional music in preparation for his historical opera, Dejima, which portrays the life of Von Siebold on the Japanese island of Dejima between 1823 and 1829. To gain deeper insight, he studied with Japanese music masters Yosuke Irie, Keigo Ayusawa, Keiko Nosaka, and Kikuku Matsumoto. His research also drew on Toru Takemitsu’s exploration of Japanese traditional music for the composition of November Steps (1967). A concert version of Dejima premiered at Tokyo Opera City in October 2018.
James Allen Series
In 2019 and 2021, Van Woudenberg released two compositions inspired by the philosophical writings of James Allen. These pieces are the first in a series based on Allen’s influential works.
Rumi research
Since 2022, Rijndert van Woudenberg has been conducting extensive research in preparation for composing the score and developing the theatrical concept for a Dutch-Danish co-production based on the writings of Rumi. The wound is the place where the light can enter you. (Expected premiere in spring 2026)
Commissions and Collaborations
Rijndert van Woudenberg has been commissioned by prominent ensembles and institutions worldwide, including the Nederlands Blazers Ensemble, Het Concertgebouw, Escher Ensemble, Helsinki Guitar Duo, Ensemble NOMAD, Ensemble Kochi, and many others. His work has been featured in collaboration with international festivals and media outlets, such as the Oerol Festival, NTR Television, Blackframe Productions, and Eyeworks.