calefax reed quintet

Felix Mendelssohn: Prelude No. 2 and Fugue No. 1 from Op. 37
César Franck: Deuxième choral Hans Koolmees: Estampie
Jean Alain: Litanies
Maurice Duruflé: Prélude et Fugue sur le nom d’Alain Coots/Simone: For all we know

Calefax is a close-knit ensemble of five reed players united by a shared passion. For more than three decades they have been acclaimed in the Netherlands and abroad for their virtuosic playing, brilliant arrangements and innovative stage presentation.

They are the inventors of a completely new genre: the reed quintet. They provide inspiration to young wind players from all over the world who follow in their footsteps. Calefax can be defined as a classical ensemble with a pop mentality.

“The monster never breathes!”, Igor Stravinsky once said about the church organ. Still, only a few instruments have as large a repertoire to choose from – almost all well-known composers wrote for it. However, this music is seldom heard and even avoided by most music lovers. Is it the overwhelming sound, the liturgical connotation, the association with cold church pews? Calefax, almost a human breathing organ in itself, brings the most beautiful organ music to the concert hall.