Jolente De Maeyer (violin) & Nikolaas Kende (piano)

Jolente De Maeyer (violin)

Nikolaas Kende (piano)

Beethoven

Violin Sonata #8 in G major

Babajanian

Violin Sonata in Bb minor

Brahms

Violin Sonata #3 in D minor

Praised for their ‘symbiotic playing’, ‘pervasive lyricism' and their ‘powerful yet poetic playing’, the De Maeyer - Kende duo is being recognized as one of the leading musical duos in Europe. After their successes at international competitions, Jolente De Maeyer and Nikolaas Kende began performing as soloists with all major Belgian orchestras. Highlights were the concert tours of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto with the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Philippe Herreweghe, and the Brahms 2nd piano concerto with the Brussels Philharmonic under Ainars Rubikis. As a duo, concerts throughout Europe followed. De Maeyer/Kende has performed in major halls and festivals such as the Festival of Flanders, Festival de Montpellier, Festival de Menton. Their collaboration as a duo for over 15 years has elicited enthusiastic reviews by the press, who have remarked on their exceptional synergy and harmony. 

Following De Maeyer’s ‘Editors Choice’ award by Diapason and the ‘Young Soloist of the Year’ award by Belgian classical Radio Klara, Warner Classics released their duo recording, ‘Kreutzer Sonata’ in 2016. The CD won the ‘Gold Label Prize’ for best chamber music album by Klassiek Centraal. Having had their training at the conservatories of London, Berlin, Brussels and Munich with artists such as Augustin Dumay and Elisso Virsaladze, these artists are now professors at conservatories in Belgium and the Netherlands and have given masterclasses in Belgium, Germany, Italy, Texas, California and China.

‘Completely spellbinding not just in technical matters but in stylistic sensibility and musical characterisation as well’ The Gramophone

One of the leading Belgian violinists, Jolente De Maeyer has brought her virtuosity and passionate interpretations to diverse global audiences. She is recognised as an exceptionally gifted artist, reflected in the numerous awards and effusive reviews she has received for both her live performances and recordings. Prizewinner of several international competitions in Portugal (Cardona Competition), Russia (Liana Issakadze Competition) and London (Benjamin Britten Competition), Jolente's international career started with a successful participation at the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels. Performances with all major Belgian orchestras and concert tours in Europe and America followed. She made her debut in Florida, Vermont, California, Washington DC and Canada in 2017. This was followed by an extensive tour in South Africa. Future engagements include concert tours in Europe, Canada, America and China. Her recordings include concerti by Saint-Saens and Vieuxtemps with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Liège with Christian Arming, awarded an ‘Editors Choice’ from Diapason, and the CD ‘Kreutzer sonata’ with duo partner Nikolaas Kende, awarded a ‘Gold Label’ from Klassiek Centraal.

After an invitation from Yehudi Menuhin when she was 14 years old, Jolente studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School near London. She continued her studies in London, Berlin and Waterloo where she graduated in the class of Augustin Dumay in 2013. Since 2018 Jolente has been professor of violin at the Conservatory of Tilburg, the Netherlands and has given masterclasses in Belgium, Germany, Italy, Texas and California.

Nikolaas Kende has been praised for his poetic playing and honest musicality full of passion. Critics have honoured his sensitive and visionary musicianship and his flawless skills always serving the music. Both as soloist and chamber musician he is a highly demanded pianist on international concert stages. A winner of several competitions, including the Cantabile, EPTA, and Tenuto competitions, his successful participation at the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels (2007) was followed by concerts in most European countries and an American debut (2009) with the 1st piano concerto of Brahms. This debut was well received in the press, “One could almost imagine a young Brahms at the keyboard doing precisely the same thing: more intent on communicating his piece than dazzling listeners with his performance.” 2015 marked his solo debut in Mozambique and South Africa; followed by debuts in Florida, Vermont, California, Washington DC and Canada. In 2018 he made his Chinese debut with an extensive recital tour. Future projects include concert tours, both solo and in duo with Jolente De Maeyer, in Europe, Canada, North America,South-Africa and China. Nikolaas studied in Antwerp with his parents, Heidi Hendrickx and Levente Kende, in Amsterdam with Jan Wijn and in Munich and Fiesole with Elisso Virsaladze. In addition he studied with such artists as Murray Perahia and Radu Lupu.

In 2015, Nikolaas was appointed professor of piano at the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp. He has given masterclasses in Belgium, Germany, Italy, Texas, California and China.