new bristol sinfonia

Lukas Groen

(29 May 1971)

"Lukas Groen may, without doubt, be called one of the most promising exponents of the young Dutch generation of conductors..."
(Mr J. M. van Veggel, awarding Lukas Groen the 'Kersjes van de Groenekan' Prize, November 2000.)

Lukas Groen is chief-conductor of the RSO (Rijnland Symphony Orchestra) and musical director of the Symphonic Choir in Vlissingen (the Netherlands).

As a guest conductor he has conducted concerts with (among others) the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra, Matav Hungarian Symphony Orchestra, the Brabantsch Muzyk Collegie (orchestra of authentic instruments), the Randstad Orchestra (RBO) and the Rotterdam Vocal Ensemble "Rovoce". He also works with the chamber orchestra "I-Symfonietti-01" in Switzerland, consisting of young talented musicians from Europe’s great orchestras. In the Summer of 2005 he conducted the Novosibirsk Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra in its tour of the Netherlands and made his debut with "Orkest van het Oosten" from the Netherlands.

Lukas Groen was the First Prize Winner of the Fourth International ‘Oestereichisch-Ungarische Wettbewerb für Dirigenten’ in 1997. In September 1999 he was finalist of the 46th ‘Concours International de Jeunes Chefs d’Orchestre de Besançon’. He also worked as assistant conductor of the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra in 1999. He was awarded the prize and scholarship of the ‘Kersjes van de Groenekan Fonds’ 2000, the most prestigious award for young conductors in the Netherlands.

Lukas Groen studied conducting and composition at the Rotterdam Conservatory (1991-1997), studied Musicology at the University of Utrecht (1997-1999) and played trumpet, cello and piano. Abroad he studied with several well-known conductors, such as Gianluigi Gelmetti at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena, Claus Peter Flor and Prof. Wolfgang Harrer in Vienna. From 2002 until 2004 Lukas studied at the Neeme Järvi Summer Academy in Estonia, being taught by Neeme Järvi and Jorma Panula and conducting masterclasses and concerts with several international orchestras.

In recommendations, Hans Vonk called him a promising conductor of a high level; composer Klaas de Vries is mentioning his specific insight in contemporary music and Prof. Harrer praises his strong personality, musical-psychological instinct and his experienced way of dealing with singers.

As a composer Lukas Groen has composed various works for ensemble, choir, orchestra and documentary films. Currently he is working on his first opera.

Quotes from the Press

(A performance of Beethoven 'Overture Egmont', Sibelius 'Pelleas and Melisande', Dvorak 'Symphony the New World' with the Symfonieorkest "Jacob Obrecht" )
BN DeStem, Maandag 24 April 2006
His great personality appears in front of the orchestra, overlooks the nervous musicians in one glance, makes a great gesture and full and clear the first chord sounds: Overture Egmont has started.

(A performance of Elgar 'Serenade in E', Tchaikovsky 'Serenade for Strings', Handel 'Concerto for Carillon and Strings' (arr. B. de Zwart), Poulenc 'Concerto for Organ, Timpani and Strings')
Algemeen Dagblad de Dordtenaar, 2 September 2005
Magnificient concert in and around the Great Church of Dordrecht.
Public under the spell from beginning till end... the thin string sound of the subtle Serenade by Elgar,... with its climax the impressive performance of the organ concerto by Francis Poulenc.... Also here the conducting skills of Groen showed his natural authority, the co-operation with the accurate playing Ardesch (organ player), high behind the organ, was exemplary, the public was breathless.

(A performance of Bartok 'Dances', Beethoven '8th Symphony' and the newly discovered and edited '6th Symphony' by Franz Krommer with the Rijnland Symphony Orchestra)
Daily Newspaper Rijn en Gouwe, Monday 11 November 2002   (Kees Roes)
Strident sounds besides fascinating premiere
...He is a striking and very dynamic person. The way he handles the orchestra compels admiration. He seems utmost certain of his actions and he knows to get the maximum of the musicians through his physical way of conducting. Remarkable is his absolute perfect balance between the moments in which he seems to spare his energy and the driving gestures that almost immediately follow up. A promise for the future and pleasure for this moment.