Eine Schachnovelle

Chess, one of the world's oldest and most beloved board games, dates back to the 6th century AD—long before the emergence of what we now call classical music. Over the centuries, a remarkable connection has emerged between music and chess: composers and musicians often turned out to be passionate chess players, while many chess masters were also musically inclined.

One of the most famous examples is the French opera composer François Philidor (1726–1795), widely regarded as the best chess player of his time. He even gave his name to a well-known chess opening. Felix Mendelssohn and Robert Schumann were known to enjoy playing against each other, and Sergei Prokofiev once played a ten-game match against the legendary violinist David Oistrakh.

This members’ concert features music by composers who played chess, performed by musicians who also happen to be chess players—or perhaps even composing chess masters.

Special guest Grandmaster Paul van der Sterren, two-time Dutch chess champion, will share his deep love of music in a short talk.

After the intermission, Paul will take on musicians and interested audience members in a chess simul. At the same time, a separate chess tournament will be held for other participants.

Would you like to take part in the simul or the tournament?
Please email johanvaniersel@gmail.com.
There are only 15 spots available for the simul, so sign up soon!
Please note: participation is only possible with a valid concert ticket.

Tjeerd Top – violin
Alessandro di Giacomo – violin
Vilém Kijonka – viola
Michael Gieler – viola
Johan van Iersel – cello
Kento van Iersel – cello
Davide Lattuada – clarinet
Vincent Cortvrind – flute
Violaine Delplanque – piano/clavecimbel
Mark Braafhart – percussion
With Paul van der Sterren - Grandmaster Chess

Member concert
Splendor can only be the independent and free hub that it is, thanks to the members who support us. We pay them back with our specialty: music. Every year, all Splendor musicians play one concert that's free for this crucial group to whom Splendor owes its everyday existence. Combined with many other events, this means that our members have free entrance to over 50 concerts a year for €9,99 p/m (and €4,99 p/m for minima and students!) – and receive a discount for all other concerts. Pretty good deal, right?

The members enable Splendor to remain independent, which is the only way to secure real freedom in programming, experimentation, risk-taking and the promotion of young, upcoming artists. If you can think of another place without a central programming, where last-minute concerts can be planned any moment, where there is no backstage and artists and audience are constantly mingling and hanging out at the bar, where mysterious creative outbursts can be presented that are often labeled 'too risky' elsewhere, and that still guarantees high quality by unleashing the best of The Netherlands' music scene in this creative playground – you get a free membership!

Would you rather just visit this concert without becoming a member? You're more than welcome! Buy your ticket(s) below.