Ensemble Nova Sonantia - Various Composers: Entartete Seelen (2022)

This new release presents selected chamber works by lesser-known composers, curated and performed by the Dutch ensemble, Nova Sonantia. They are joined by soprano, Simone Riksman.

The ensemble Nova Sonantia was founded by violinist Frank de Groot, the former first violin of the Doelen Quartet, and is made up of musician friends who have known each other for years and who all perform chamber music in various ensembles. The ensemble collaborates with the Nova Sonantia foundation (www.novasonantia.nl) to create programmes that fulfil their common aim: to provide a platform for music that is infrequently performed or unknown but is nonetheless worthy of attention. The ensemble presents Musique Mosaïque, its own concert series that is organised by the Nova Sonantia foundation in splendid venues in The Hague, Voorburg and elsewhere.

Frank de Groot studied violin and chamber music at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague with Isidor Lateiner and Jürgen Kussmaul. He is a member of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and was first violin of the Doelen Quartet for almost thirty years. He is artistic director of the ensemble and of the Nova Sonantia Foundation.

Jan Navarro studied at Codarts Rotterdam with Thijs Kramer and Natascha Morozova, where he obtained his Master's degree. He subsequently developed a passion for the viola and worked in the Santa Barbara Orchestra in America for a number of years. He is currently active as violist and composer in the Netherlands.

Liesbeth Bosboom obtained her Master's degree summa cum laude at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, where she studied with Michel Strauss and Jan Ype Nota. She is a laureate of the Prinses Christina Concours, the Peter the Great Festival and the Haydn Music Festival. She was a member of the Academy of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and is currently a cellist in the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra.

Simone Riksman graduated magna cum laude from the Rotterdam Conservatory and continued her studies with Margreet Honig and William Johns. She has been a member of the Theatre of St Gallen (Switzerland) and her guest appearances include performances with Dutch National Opera and the Dorset Opera Festival. Her partners in concert and chamber music already include several renowned musicians.