Sunday 28 September 2025, 3.30 PM. De Waalse kerk, Amsterdam (NL)
Concert together with met dancer Rahmida Dewi Patmawati, singer Bernadeta Astari, saxophonist Arno Bornkamp and pianist Tobias Borsboom.

Program Tempo Doeloe music from the Dutch East Indies/Indonesia, such as the Serenade for cello and piano van Theo Smit-Sibinga, Paul Seelig - Chansons Javanaises for violin (cello) and piano and the worldpremiere Two Sides of composer Joey Roukens for saxofoon, cello and piano.

Read more..

Pamela Smits is the founder, and since 2013 Artistic Director, of the Foundation Vriendenconcerten. She is the driving force and “heart and soul” of this concert series that takes place at the beautiful 17th century churches; the Zuiderkerk, and this season also the Waalse Kerk, both in the heart of old Amsterdam. 

Season 2025-2026

First and upcoming concert of this season: 
Date: Sunday 28 September 2025, at 15:30 hrs. De Waalse Kerk Amsterdam

Rahmida Dewi Patmawati – dance
Bernadeta Astari – song
Voyager Trio:
Arno Bornkamp – saxophone
Pamela Smits – cello
Tobias Borsboom – piano

When you think of Indonesia, the spicy scents of the oriental kitchen probably immediately come to mind. But perhaps also wajang puppets, chattering monkeys swinging through the jungle, or a volcano that could erupt at any moment. Or the traditional dances in beautiful clothes. Or maybe also the music style of the gamelan? Gamelan music – derived from the Javanese word 'gamel' meaning to beat or hammer – is deeply rooted in Indonesian mythology, mysticism and belief systems.

Several composers were inspired by the gamelan, the rich folk culture and the beautiful nature of the islands. The virtuoso pianist Godowsky was so enchanted during his 1925 concert tour of Java that he later wrote his iconic Java Suite. And a century later, the French woman Decruck sketched her impressions of the island for saxophone and piano.

Of course, the colonial period had an influence on both cultures. Several Dutch composers settled in the Dutch East Indies, or were born and raised there. Indonesians also came to the Netherlands to study or work here.

Today's composers and artists take us on a fascinating journey into the classical music of the former Dutch East Indies and present-day Indonesia. Their stories reflect the historical and cultural connection between Indonesia and the Netherlands. Not only are we treated to cross-pollinations of beautiful music and dance, but also to some Indonesian delicacies to complete the party.

Opening Church and Ticketcounter:
30 minutes before the start of a concert
Saturday at 19:30 hrs.
Sunday at 15:00 hrs.

Selection of program proposals for recitals in the season 2018/2019:

Download International Flyer
 

Cello Solo:
Heaven and Hell

Cello and Piano with pianist Tobias Borsboom
Love and Death  Romantic program
Bohemian Rhapsody Czech program
Maître et Apprenti  French program with a teacher-pupil line

All-time Favourites Easy-listening romantic cello favourites program
Hungarian Canvas Hungarian cello/piano program, with Kodály cello solo sonata

Cello and Double Bass with double bass player Quirijn van Regteren Altena:
Deep Feelings and Moments Musical 

Considerations concerning other repertoire is open for discussions. 
See also repertoire list..

Or, feel free to send an email to Pamela via info@pamelasmits.com and she will be happy to contact you directly to consider the various ideas.

Pentachord, a row of five strings. Five renowned musicians founded this ensemble sharing a passion for piano quintets and chambermusic.
- Effacta Productions

For bookings or information please contact Effacta Productions:

The Pentachord Ensemble

Maarten den Hengst - piano

Emi Ohi Resnick - violin

Mikhail Zemtsov -viola

Pamela Smits - cello

Quirijn van Regteren Altena - double bass

more info..

Program proposals:

Program Purcell, Arensky, F. Martin or Mahler and Trout
Program Piano quintets of Vaughan Williams and Schubert
Program Duo's and Schubert or Vaughan Williams piano quintet

Program Penta Plus. Mozart and Dvo?ák stringquintets and Mendelssohn pianosextet with Giles Francis violin and viola.

 Download Portfolio hr.-photos of the Pentachord Ensemble

"From the first note of the famous quintet the Pentachord Ensemble overwhelmed with their lightness, precision and very agile way of playing. Schubert escaped from all the clichés. Also is in all their smaller group arrangements The Pentachord a joy to the eye and ear, because of the dedicated music making of the musicians. A sparkling ensemble that left the audience of the museumchurch of Schokland in awe."

-from a review of the Noordoostpolder newspaper.

"The Trout Quintet can be reckoned among the gems of classical music. Of the Dutch music ensembles the Pentachord threads a long chain of gems with their way of playing. Moreover, for the entire ensemble applies that they posses a special musical gift and that they feel intensely connected to their instruments, one can see that, one can hear that." 

-from a review of the Nieuwe Meerbode, Aalsmeer (NL)