Femke - Who I am and what I do
Femke is one of the most success-full saxophonists of her generation.
Public, jury and press are impressed by her versatility and expressiveness.
The saxophone brought Femke around the globe, performing in the USA, Canada, South America, Asia and all of Europe.
Ever since Femke finished her masters degree 'cum laude' with Arno Bornkamp in Amsterdam, she plays on a regular basis in world's leading orchestras like the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam, Budapest Festival Orchestra and the Tonhalle Orchester Zürich.
Femke IJlstra is one of the youngest female professors in Europe, holding this position from when she was 29 years old. She is an educator at the Prins Claus Conservatory in Groningen and Codarts, University of the Arts, Rotterdam.
Femke profiles herself more and more as a soloïst. She plays recitals all over the world and made appearances as a soloïst with L'opera Toulon under the baton of Jurjen Hempel and The North Netherlands Orchestra under the baton of Dirk Brosse and Frans-Aert Burghgraef. She is a regular guest in Dutch radio- and tv-show. Dutch composers have written music for Femke , such as Karmit Fadael, Jacob TV, Bernard van Beurden, Richard Rijnvos and Douwe Eisenga.
Femke loves chamber music: she is founder of Syrène Saxophone Quartet, and played soprano-sax in the renowned Aurelia Saxophone Quartet. In 2018 Femke started Jeux d'anches with (bass-) clarinetist Fie Schouten and accordeonist Marko Kassel. They explore new music for this unusual setting.
In her first album Femke worked together with other artists which lead to the creation of the book called Stofsûgersjongers. The CD - where Femke plays music by M. Turnage and other 'living composers'- got great reviews by the press and audience.
Two other albums have been made with her quartet Syrène. In march 2022 Femke's latest album was released (Colores del Sur) with pianist Celia García-García) which had great reviews and was in second place of Textura's best instrumental albums in 2022.
Femke IJlstra is curious about theater and other disciplines in art, which resulted in many music- theater performances and tours across the Netherlands. She worked together with actors, poets and dancers.
Femke is artistic director of the Emmy Verhey Festival in Zaltbommel, The Netherlands.
Duo IJlstra-García
It had felt like a journey through time and space, across mythical lands and unearth paintings. Not a bad thing Femke would say.
That the two of them got on so well, neither had expected.
Celia, a pianist with Spanish roots and appropriate passion, and Femke, very blond saxophonist from the phlegmatic north of the Netherlands.
They had met as colleagues in the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.
"music can be very nasty. There is beauty in that too. I think you are more of a pleaser, Celia". Femke says.
-"well, I quite like that you want to provoke the audience, but I do indeed want people to go home feeling happy.
Both agree: "A concert is a night of storytelling. And yes, a good story does sting a little bit".
It had been a little big bang. The origin of their own musical universe. New planets, solar storms, dark matter...and endless colors. They formed a duo to convert their somewhat odd friendship into sound.
In the moment of silence between music and applause their eyes met and and sparkled.
Syrène Saxophone Quartet
Four female saxophonists named themselves after the
Sirens from Homer’s Odyssey: sea goddesses that seduced sailors with their divine voices.
The Syrène's strive to make the sounds of the classical saxophone known to a diverse audience.
Syrène’s motto is ‘Fresh and sweet, but with a bite’: Talented, spicy but with a delicate female touch. The individual talents are at their finest when combined as the Syrenes Quartet.
The Syrènes have studied at the Conservatories of Amsterdam, The Hague and Utrecht. They were the first wind ensemble to be welcomed at the prestigious Dutch String Quartet Academy.
The Syrène Saxophone Quartet is a common guest on all the major Dutch stages and has toured through Canada, Taiwan and Indonesia.
For upcoming performances, go to my concertagenda or check out the website of Syrène Saxophone Quartet