Jan Willem de Vriend Concerts

Experience Jan Willem de Vriend

Jan Willem de Vriend is a highly respected Dutch conductor, violinist, and artistic leader. Born in 1971, he is primarily known as the founder and artistic director of the Netherlands Bach Society (Nederlandse Bachvereniging), a position he has held since 2005. De Vriend revitalized the ensemble, shifting its focus to historically informed performance practice and innovative concert formats, including the famed “All of Bach” project – performing the complete works of J.S. Bach over several years.

Initially trained as a violinist at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, De Vriend’s conducting career blossomed through masterclasses with renowned figures like Ton Koopman and Pieter Jan Leusink. His conducting style is characterized by clarity, rhythmic precision, and a deep understanding of Baroque repertoire, though he also frequently conducts Classical and Romantic works.

Beyond his work with the Netherlands Bach Society, De Vriend regularly guest conducts orchestras internationally. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to classical music, including the VSCD Classical Award in 2014. His discography with the Netherlands Bach Society is extensive and critically acclaimed, consistently charting on classical music charts worldwide.