On 9 December, the new young artist in residence for Muziekzomer Gelderland 2026 was announced. During a private concert for volunteers and friends of the National Youth Orchestras of the Netherlands (NJON), it was announced that cellist Douwe Eisses will fulfil this special role. He received the BNG Music Award 2025 from Jannewietske de Vries, board member of the BNG Culture Fund and mayor of Súdwest-Fryslân.
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Thanks to the prize from the BNG Culture Fund, this role will enable Douwe to take a major leap forward in his career as a composer and performing musician. He will develop several programmes for the festival Muziekzomer Gelderland 2026 and perform them at beautiful concert venues. He will be supported in this by the NJON and various coaches. Together with an ensemble of musicians, he gave a preview performance at the presentation, which included Dvořák's Waldesruhe and Shostakovich's Piano Trio No. 1.
The 21-year-old cellist is studying at the prestigious Mozarteum University in Salzburg, where he is in the third year of his bachelor's degree with Professor Giovanni Gnocchi. He has previously impressed by winning prizes at the Prinses Christina Concours and the Britten Concours. In 2025, he also won first prize at the International Davidoff Cello Competition in Riga. In addition to his solo repertoire, Douwe has gained extensive orchestral experience with the Netherlands Youth Orchestra, Jonge Strijkers Amsterdam and the European Youth Orchestra, among others. With these achievements, he is making great strides, both in the Netherlands and internationally.
'I am very much looking forward to working on a number of unique programmes in the coming period, which I would probably never have been able to realise in the same way without this opportunity.'Douwe EissesWinner of the BNG Music Award 2025
Douwe is very much looking forward to this completely new challenge: 'Until now, I have mainly gained experience as a cellist in solo projects, chamber music and orchestras, but this invitation gives me the opportunity to really break away from what I already know and discover what else is possible as a cellist. I am very much looking forward to working on a number of unique programmes in the coming period, which I would probably never have been able to realise in the same way without this opportunity.'
Jannewietske de Vries: ‘Douwe is making huge strides and, at 21, is the youngest recipient of the BNG Music Award. The fact that he is already working so professionally bodes well for his future career. As far as we are concerned, summer cannot come soon enough.’
'Douwe is making huge strides and, at 21, is the youngest recipient of the BNG Music Award.'Jannewietske de Vriesmayor of Súdwest-Fryslân
The BNG Culture Fund has been supporting up-and-coming talent for years with prizes in the fields of theatre, literature, youth circus, dance and music. Since 2018, the BNG Music Award has been awarded annually to the new young artist in residence at the Muziekzomer Gelderland. The prize money helps to realise all the projects that the young artist develops with the support of NJON.
The festival, organised by the National Youth Orchestras of the Netherlands, attracts thousands of visitors to the province every year and will take place this time from Friday 24 July to Saturday 8 August 2026. From country estates to theatres, from museums to churches, the public can enjoy 16 days of top talent in unique locations. Previous young artists in residence and winners of the BNG Music Award include harpist Remy van Kesteren, violinist Coraline Groen, saxophonist Kika Sprangers, bassoonist Thomas Dulfer and horn player Camiel Lemmens.
More information about the Gelderland Music Summer can be found at www.muziekzomer.nl.
Further information about the BNG Culture Fund can be found at www.bngbank.nl/en/bng-culture-fund