Tjeerd Top - violin & Mariken Zandvliet - piano
(Pictured above at the Fortchurch with Mr.Hildo Martina of Het Consocium Martina)
Tjeerd Top and Mariken Zandvliet have made successful tours to India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, The Netherland Antilles, Costa Rica, Argentina and Brazil. The duo's repertory varies from classical to contemporary music. The duo won a prize for their interpretation of a contemporary work written by the Dutch/Argentinean composer Carlos Micháns. In 2002 a CD was released with music of Carlos Micháns, performed by Tjeerd Top and Mariken Zandvliet (piano).
This was the second concert for the duo (pictured above in rehearsal) at the Fortchurch, and their virtuoso performances of selections by Beethoven, Mozart and Schubert was very much enjoyed and appreciated by those in attendance. Promoter and classical guitarist, Mr. Hildo Martina performed an opening piece and provided an introduction for the duo and their selection of music for the benefit of everyone.
Coming from Holland to perform in Curaçao's balmy climate presented some small challenges - notably, the effect of the climate change on Tjeerd's Bergonzi violin (built in 1750). He explained, that as well as needing to give it time to adjust to the higher humidity, he has to work harder with more pressure on his bowing to achieve the same level of "singing" the violin is more easily capable of in a dryer climate.
Read more about Mariken Zandvliet
Listen to Mariken Zandvliet and Tjeerd Top
"What first captured the audience's attention was the amazing ensemble of violinist Tjeerd Top and pianist Mariken Zandvliet, followed by the their wonderful sense of synchronization. Each phrase played by Tjeerd Top was given an equally beautiful answer by Mariken Zandvliet." - Asser Journaal