Raymond Honing

Raymond Honing belongs to a new generation of musicians who dedicate their energies largely to both old and new music. After three studies at the Conservatory of Amsterdam, namely flute, flute and chamber music, he began a career that includes three centuries of music. From Baroque to the valves flute and early romantic music on the eight valves to contemporary flute music to modern Boehmfluit including alto and bass. His main motivation for new repertoire is always curiosity. Curiosity about what was in the mind of the composer, whether alive or dead for two hundred years. And curiosity about the effect of music on the audience. After, as a young boy, winning the second prize at the National Flute Competition, Raymond won several awards at chamber music competitions such as the “Wettbewerb für Junge Kultur” in Dusseldorf and at the Van Wassenaer Concours. He is principal flutist of Sinfonia Rotterdam and performs with the Nieuw Ensemble, Asko-Schoenberg Ensemble Musik Fabrik, Ives Ensemble Anima Eterna and Combattimento Consort. In 2007 he founded his own baroque ensemble La Barca Leyden which he developed special projects programs around microtonality in ancient music. La Barca Leyden convinced Raymond’s audience and press with undirected and single-cast versions of Bach’s St. Matthew and St. John Passions and Gilles’ Requiem. Besides his work in the field of early music Raymond is an enthusiastic promoter of contemporary music. Many composers have written works for him. He is a soloist in several premiere concertos for flute and orchestra include Robin Raven and the Korean composer Uzong Choe. Raymond plays in Scala Ensemble, a unique ensemble, specializing in microtonal music. Raymond is the soloist in concerts by JS Bach, C.PH. E. Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart and Mercadante. But besides the classical repertoire, he is always looking for collaboration with other disciplines. Raymond worked with actors, dancers, and for example, the Argentine tango pianist Pablo Ziegler. Besides numerous concerts in the Netherlands, he played at venues and festivals in France, Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic, Russia, Hungary, Austria, Scandinavia and Colombia. His broad musical interest led him to directing. As a conductor, he has a slight preference for old and new music. La Barca Leyden he leads all playing from the chair and the new repertoire is fully covered by New Chamber Choir Delft. Raymond is professor at the Conservatory of Amsterdam. photo: Jay Achterberg