11 May 2024

Fare thee well, Dudok

I've talked of the Dudok quartet here several times not least for their excellent and varied  performances, but there's also a personal aspect given Marie-Louise stayed with us and the rest, Dave, Judith, Marleen, stayed close by and we drove them and chatted widely, about music, of course, but also about Amsterdam and climate and arts and bikes and more.  They are a warm group and committed and aware so quite fascinating and to top it off, Marleen had a close friends here after studying at ANU.  Small world.  I love all that about visitors.  We tried to show them the local scene, but their time was short and they were busy, but they were all at a gig at Verity Lane and we passed by Smiths and Marleen dropped in to Molly while Imogene was having a break.  We obviously talked of sex shops and Amsterdam dope but also the Bimhuis and Concertgebouw and instrument funding and Blue Poles and how they recently played with the Night Watch as a backdrop (wow!).  But these things come to an end with a drop off at Jolimont for Murrays to Sydney and the long flight home.  The next evening I was playing at Molly and it seemed so long since they'd left and yet they were probably just landing.  Let's hope they get back here sometime soon. In the meantime, just to confirm that Dudok has inclusive tastes, see them playing an arrangement by Oene van Giel of Giant Steps for string quartet.

The Dudok Quartet Amsterdam comprise Judith Van Driel and Marleen Wester (violins), Marie-Louise de Jong (viola) and David Faber (cello).

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