SPECIAL GUEST / MENTOR

Sigiswald Kuijken

Born in 1944, Sigiswald Kuijken studied violin at Bruges and Brussels Conservatories. He was attracted to ancient music on "original instruments" in early age, and developed his specialization in this field as an autodidact. In 1969 he introduced the so called "chin-off " baroque violin technique. He was teaching at The Hague Royal Conservatory (1971- 1996) and Brussels Royal Conservatory (1993 - 2009). Founder of Baroque Orchestra La Petite Bande in 1972; he collaborated in countless chambermusic concerts with his brothers Wieland and Barthold and other specialized musicians (e.g. Gustav Leonhardt). He founded the Kuijken Stringquartet in 1986, and since the last 20 years he performs also regularly with his daughters Sara, Marie and Veronica. He is Doctor Honoris Causa of Leuven University (2007), and has been performing and teaching all over Europe and abroad (Australia, New Zealand Japan, Korea, China, USA, Canada...). He re-introduced the Violoncello da spalla in 2004.