Nieuw-West pianist set for Concertgebouw performance

Pianist and composer Umut Demirtaş will perform at the Concertgebouw on 5 September for a sold-out show, followed by a performance at the H’ART Museum on 12 September.

The 25-year-old Amsterdammer began developing his passion for music in Buurthuis De Wachter, a community centre in Nieuw-West.

Practice in the community centre

Demirtaş knew from an early age that he wanted to create music, with classical music as his main passion. At school, however, his peers often assumed he made rap or hip-hop when he spoke about making music.

While he initially found those reactions difficult, he found the freedom to practice at buurthuis De Wachter, where local visitors came to listen to him play.

Turkish roots and rhythm

Demirtaş incorporates his Turkish roots into his work, comparing his approach to Stravinsky weaving cultural origins into compositions.

He describes his music as rhythmically faster and more driving as a result of those cultural influences.

Source: AT5