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Concertgebouw OPEN 2026: 52 free mini-concerts on Saturday 5 September

Fourth edition of the free open day featuring concerts, tours and workshops

 

On Saturday 5 September, The Concertgebouw will host the fourth edition of Concertgebouw OPEN, a preview of the upcoming concert season. Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., visitors can enjoy 52 mini-concerts in the Main Hall, Recital Hall, Choir Hall, Mirror Hall, Antichambre and foyers. A total of 105 musicians will perform throughout the building, including chamber ensembles, soloists, a composer and a full symphony orchestra. The programme also includes a treasure hunt for children, backstage tours and a workshop led by soprano Pearl Jozefzoon.

Carlos Simon, The Concertgebouw’s Composer in Residence for the 2026-27 season, will be present for two performances and interviews. Admission to Concertgebouw OPEN is free of charge, but visitors are required to reserve a ticket with a designated entry timeslot via the Concertgebouw website. The previous three editions were fully booked, and early reservation is recommended.

Simon Reinink, Managing Director of The Concertgebouw:

"Concertgebouw OPEN has become a tradition that marks the start of our season. Every year it gives visitors a chance to discover the breadth of our programme, and it welcomes many people to The Concertgebouw for the first time."

From organ classics to Sufi poetry

The mini-concerts last approximately twenty minutes and are spread throughout the building, including spaces that are normally closed to the public, such as the Antichambre. Each performance is introduced by a member of The Concertgebouw staff. Managing Director Simon Reinink will personally welcome audiences attending performances in the Main Hall.

Highlights include:

  • Piano Nights – Pianists Hannes Minnaar and Helena Basilova present a special Concertgebouw OPEN edition of the Piano Nights series, combining classical and neo-classical repertoire in the Main Hall.
  • Het Klassiek Collectief – This symphony orchestra of professional and amateur musicians performs well-known excerpts from the orchestral repertoire, including music by Tchaikovsky and Dvořák.
  • Carlos Simon – The American composer performs his own works at the piano and introduces himself to the audience. On 7 September, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and conductor Manfred Honeck will open The Concertgebouw’s season with Simon’s Four Black American Dances.
  • Laurens de Man – The acclaimed Dutch organist performs on the iconic Maarschalkerweerd organ in the Main Hall.
  • Otilka Quartet – This promising young string quartet, selected for the Young Dutch Musicians series, offers a preview of its upcoming season programme.
  • El Karima – The singer combines centuries-old Sufi poetry and traditional Arabic vocal techniques with contemporary compositions and sampled beats.
  • Umut Veysel Demirtaş – The pianist and composer performs his own music in the Antichambre, where conductors and soloists traditionally prepare for performances. He is also well known at The Concertgebouw as a member of the front-of-house team.
  • Yulianna Beziazychna – The twelve-year-old pianist from Leidschendam won the 2026 Royal Concertgebouw Competition in June.
  • Gerson Main – The Dutch singer-songwriter performs songs with poetic Dutch-language lyrics.
  • Chaerin Im – One of the rising stars of Amsterdam’s jazz scene, the South Korean pianist performs her own compositions and improvisations in the Choir Hall.
  • Pearl Jozefzoon and Danielle Kok – An interactive singing workshop led by soprano Pearl Jozefzoon, accompanied by pianist Danielle Kok.
  • ZO! Talent Choir – The youth choir of ZO! Gospel presents a programme of soul and gospel music.
  • Sofie and the Wonder of Fez – A preview of a family concert about scents, colours, Arab wisdom and friendship.
  • Body Percussion Workshop – Visitors can explore rhythm and make music together in this interactive workshop.

Tours, audio walk and family activities

In addition to the musical programme, visitors can explore the building through an audio tour, take part in a children’s treasure hunt and enjoy a photo opportunity on the famous conductor’s staircase. A limited number of guided backstage tours will also be available, including visits to artists’ dressing rooms, the artists’ lounge and the piano storage facility. In the piano department, a technician from Maene Pianos will explain the unique collection of Steinway grand pianos used at The Concertgebouw.

The complete programme, including all performance times, will be available from 31 August on the Concertgebouw website.

Fourth edition

Concertgebouw OPEN was launched in 2023 and has since become The Concertgebouw’s annual celebration marking the opening of the concert season. Last year, all 8,200 free tickets were reserved.

Concertgebouw OPEN 2026 is made possible in part through the support of principal sponsor Van Lanschot Kempen.