Niek de Groot

Biography:

“I search for new frontiers in music. The double bass is a fantastic and unique vehicle! My goal is transcending the mere matter of my instrument. In performing, I always feel more a musician as a double bassist.’’ Niek de Groot is a leading classical double-bassist. In 2010 he found the supreme instrument to give his style voice in the Amati double bass made in Cremona, 1680. Niek has been given the lifelong privilege to play this famous and only remaining double bass from that era. Following his formal studies Niek further developed his skills at the Canadian Banff Centre for the Arts. In addition he gained inspiration in attending master classes especially with cellists Frans Helmerson, Lluìs Claret and Laurence Lesser and in close collaborations with Leonard Bernstein, Mstislav Rostropovich, Vladimir Mendelsohn and György Sebök. ‘’It’s liberating to focus on the essence of the music at its highest achievable technical and musical level, leaving behind all conventions.’’ The style Niek has developed allows him to also use the double bass as an integral solo-instrument. At the same time, in working closely with modern composers like Kurtàg and Stockhausen, he contributed to the development of new and contemporary double-bass repertoire. ”These magnificent composers approach the instrument openly and independently.’’ Until 2006 Niek held principal solo-bass positions in many ensembles throughout Europe. Among them a 10 year tenure as first solo-bass with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Since then he has dedicated his career to chamber music and solo-performances and plays the Amati to a growing worldwide audience. From 1996 Niek has been teaching as a senior professor at the Folkwang University of Arts in Essen, Germany. ”The Essen class is like a laboratory for new talent.’’ He teaches master classes regularly, with many of his students currently holding positions in Europe's finest orchestras.

E-Mail: info@niekdegroot.nl
Web: www.niekdegroot.nl

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