Conductor Gijs Kramers

Education

Gijs Kramers (1974) studied viola in The Hague with Vladimir Mendelssohn and with Hatto Beyerle at the Hochschule für Musik in Hannover, Germany. He studied conducting with Tim Redmond and participated in masterclasses with Peter Stark in London.

Viola

In 2001, Gijs Kramers was appointed co-principal viola of the Netherlands Ballet Orchestra before joining the Philharmonia Orchestra, London in 2002. As a member of the Ruysdael Quartet, he performs regularly both in- and outside the Netherlands. He also works with other chamber groups in London, such as the Tate Ensemble. Performances include Carnegie Hall in New York, Wigmore Hall London, the Aldeburgh, Bath, Newbury festivals and BBC radio 3.

As a soloist, Gijs Kramers performed works of John Cage, George Benjamin and Pierre Boulez in the Festival d'Art Lyrique in Aix-en-Provence. Solo concertos include Henkemans' viola concerto in Groningen and Bartók's concerto in the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam. 

Conducting

Gijs has been conducting the Ricciotti ensemble since April 2006. He also conducts the string orchestra "Metamorphosen" and is regularly active as conductor and coach with a variety of orchestras in the Netherlands and England.

Compositions

A keen composer, Gijs has had several compositions and arrangements performed by the Ricciotti Ensemble, the National Youth Orchestra of the Netherlands and the Dutch Students Orchestra. In the UK his works have been performed in the Bath festival, Cargo in Shoreditch, London and broadcast on BBC radio 3. He was commissioned to write for Rational Rec and Ah! you sitting comfortably. In addition, he is active as a songwriter and accompanist for the widely known "Duo Het Leven". 

Awards

As a member of the Ruysdael Quartet, Gijs Kramers has received de Prix de la SACEM at the International String Quartet Competition in Bordeaux in 2001, and the Press Prize and AVRO Prize in the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam. In December 2006, the Ruysdael Quartet was honoured with the Kersjes van de Groenekan Prize, awarded for their unique contribution to Dutch chamber music.