Interview // In conversation with curators of Nieuwe Noten Amsterdam: Fie Schouten and Aspasia Nasopoulou!

Nieuwe Noten Amsterdam is located in the Plein Theater. In this series for contemporary chamber music, works and ideas by well-known ensembles, young musicians and thinkers are presented in sound and word. The curators of this series are composer Aspasia Nasopoulou and bass clarinetist Fie Schouten. Both received the Nieuw Geneco Fair Practice Composition Commission Award (2019, 2021 respectively). Marjolein van Ruiten asked them a few questions about the program series!

Curator Fie Schouten about Nieuwe Noten Amsterdam:

How did Nieuwe Noten Amsterdam originate in the Plein Theater?

Since June 2019 I can regularly be found in the Plein Theater together with my fellow curator Aspasia Nasopoulou (composer). We put together a concert series with contemporary chamber music. This series should simultaneously act as a basis for a community of musicians, composers, enthusiasts, friends. Now is the time to set up such a series, find a home for it, apply for money to pay the musicians, and build a community of enthusiasts, curious and professionals.

What is the advantage if a composer / musician programs a concert series in the Plein Theater?

The Plein Theater is an intimate location where you can create something as a maker.

I feel free to really stay at the core of what I love to do, without any artistic concessions. The size of Plein Theater is perfect for these activities. I would like to 'continue to grow', but not always in quantity, rather in quality.
 

What are tips for the public for upcoming editions of Nieuwe Noten Amsterdam?

Nieuwe Noten Amsterdam is a monthly concert series, in which the signature is current composed music. We always invite someone to have a short conversation with the musicians. This person has an affinity with the programmed music, but can be a scientist at one time and a painter or philosopher at other times. As a series we want to be a breeding ground for the new music scene, premieres get a chance, new pieces that require a second or third performance. In addition to musicians who are (relatively) known in Amsterdam / the Netherlands, we are also looking for musicians from abroad who cannot or hardly be heard in the Netherlands and we enter into exchanges with similar concert series in other European countries.
 

Why do you think the Nieuwe Noten Amsterdam series attracts so many composers into the audience?

They would like to hear their own new work performed, they are curious about what colleagues have made or want to be inspired by the performing musicians and afterwards start a conversation with them about a future collaboration ...

Curator Aspasia Nasopoulou about Nieuwe Noten Amsterdam:

What is the advantage if a composer / musician programs a concert series in the Plein Theater?

As a composer or musician you are in the circle of all creation and action. You are already familiar with the latest developments and you are in direct contact with fellow musicians or composers. This provides a direct insight and understanding.
 

What are tips for the public for upcoming editions of Nieuwe Noten Amsterdam?

We will have musical theater performances, new notes for unexpected instruments.
 

Why do you think the Nieuwe Noten Amsterdam series attracts so many composers into the audience?

There is continuity and a musical surprise every time. People know that they will hear something fresh every time. It has an intimate setting. People can experience the music and the makers closer. Nieuwe Noten Amsterdam in the Plein Theater is becoming a well-known place that you look forward to going every time.

Foto: Elisabeth Melchior