Nederlands Folk energy, classical precision
Clarinet, trumpet, trombone and double bass
We are the Watergang Kwartet.
Blending chamber precision with the raw energy of Eastern European folk. Where tradition and innovation meet face-to-face.
ABOUT
THE WATERGANG KWARTET
Formed in Amsterdam in 2025, the Watergang Kwartet fuses the raw spirit of Balkan and Eastern European folk with the discipline of classical chamber music, creating a sound that’s as unexpected as it is unforgettable. With our bold instrumentation and commitment to new works, we offer something you won’t hear anywhere else. We enjoyed a significant debut season with eleven performances. With a growing calendar for 2026, the quartet is building on this momentum.
Our program connects folk and classical traditions, exploring their mutual influence through works by composers from Schumann to Bartók, Janacek and Martinů alongside traditional Eastern European tunes. The quartet's unique instrumentation has led them to arrange their own repertoire and actively commision new arrangements and compositions.
This approach reflects our vision: creating a space where diverse voices find harmony. In a world both connected and divided, we celebrate difference as strength—our music demonstrates how distinct traditions can speak as one.
The Musicians
Salome Etter
Swiss clarinetist bridging contemporary music and Eastern European folk ornamentation. Member of Ut Kwintet (1st Prize, Sonus Competition 2024) and playing regularly with the contemporary ensemble Het Muziek.
Gerardo Gianolio
Italian trumpeter specialized in modern and baroque repertoire. Performs around Europe with orchestras and chamber ensembles such as NBE, Concerto Köln and Insula Orchestra.
Juan Cancer Navarro
Spanish trombonist trained in classical and baroque trombone at the Koninklijk Conservatorium. Has performed as principal with Residentie Orkest and toured with Rotterdam Sinfonia.
Roberto Sanhermelando
Valencian bassist and Extraordinary Prize winner, trained under principals from the London Symphony Orchestra. Provides the quartet's grounding warmth across classical, folk and improvised contexts.
OUR SOUND
The unique instrumentation of the Watergang Kwartet—clarinet, trumpet, trombone and double bass—is the source of our sound. This combination bridges folk celebrations and formal chamber settings, referring to both and drawing strength from each.
From our inception, we embraced a defining challenge: no established repertoire exists for this combination. What could have been a limitation became our core mission: to build a new and living repertoire from the ground up.
We meticulously craft our own arrangements of Balkan folk traditions and commission new works from contemporary composers. Each piece is a bespoke creation, tailor-made for the rich textures and dynamic power of our ensemble. The result is a performance that is a true act of creation, offering audiences music that simply cannot be heard anywhere else.
Current Programs
We offer three distinct programs designed for different venues and audiences:Blurred Boundaries (60/80 min): A vivid tapestry weaving together works by Bartók, Schumann and Berio with traditional Eastern European folk melodies, revealing how these two worlds intertwine.
Folk Reimagined (45 min): A focused reinterpretation of folk melodies from North Macedonia, Serbia and Bulgaria, highlighting the storytelling and emotional depth of the region.
Midday Mosaic (30–40 min): A compact, accessible program offering a taste of the quartet's signature sound—perfect for midday musical escapes.
concerts
2026
7 March 2026 – 19:30
Social Hub Amsterdam10 April 2026 – 19:00
Muziekgebouw Amsterdam
Echoes of Nothing Festival12 April 2026 – 11:00
Cool kunst en cultuur – Heerhugowaard
6 June 2026 – 14:00
Festival Tuintonen Watergang6 June 2026 – 20:00
Kunst in de Kamer – Den Haag (privat)
Past season: 11 concerts—including Muziekgebouw Amsterdam
and Theater Veerensmederij Amersfoort.
"We were really flabbergasted by the formation, how good it sounds and how well fits the repertory you choose...the many magic moments, the whistling!! That was truly fantastic and refreshingly unexpected"
Dutch Classical Talent (jury feedback)
Let's start the conversation
...and we'll get back to you within 48 hours
Click here for full Electronic Press Kit info
[email protected]
+31 614 806 324
We offer three distinct programs designed for different venues and audiences:
Blurred Boundaries
(60/80 min plus interval):
A vivid tapestry weaving together works by
Bartók, Schumann, and Berio with traditional Eastern European folk
melodies, revealing how these two worlds intertwine.
Bulgarian traditional
Aleni Zvezdi
Robert Schumann
From Fünf Stücke im Volkston, Op. 102, V. Stark und markiert
Bohuslav Martinů
From Seven Czech Dances VI. Borová
Béla Bartók
Romanian Folk Dances
From 44 Duets for Two Violins
Serbian traditional
Niska Banja
INTERVAL
Bulgarian traditional
Batrinescul din Grosi
Leoš Janáček
From Moravian Dances (Čeladenský, Ej Danaj)
Bulgarian traditional
Kaval Sviri
Luciano Berio
From Folk Songs, Azerbaijan Love Song
Robert Schumann]
From Fünf Stücke im Volkston, Op. 102 Mit Humor
Béla Bartók
From 44 Duets for Two Violins, Prelude and Canon
Macedonian traditional
Jovano Jovanke
Folk Reimagined
(45 min):
A focused reinterpretation of folk melodies from North Macedonia, Serbia, and Bulgaria,
highlighting the storytelling and emotional depth of the region.
Bulgarian traditional
Aleni Zvezdi
Béla Bartók
Romanian Folk Dances
From 44 Duets for Two Violins
Serbian traditional
Niska Banja
Leoš Janáček
From Moravian Dances]
Bulgarian traditional
Kaval Sviri
Macedonian
trad. Jovano Jovanke
Midday Mosaic
(30–40 min):
A compact, accessible program offering a taste of the quartet's signature sound—
perfect for midday musical escapes.
Robert Schumann
From Fünf Stücke im Volkston, Op. 102, V. Stark und markiertBohuslav Martinů
From Seven Czech Dances VI. Borová
Béla Bartók
From 44 Duets for Two Violins
Luciano Berio
From Folk Songs, Azerbaijan Love Song
Serbian traditional
Niska Banja
Robert Schumann]
From Fünf Stücke im Volkston, Op. 102 Mit Humor
ELECTRONIC PRESS KIT]
Folk energy, classical precisionWHO WE ARE
The Watergang Kwartet explores the connections between Eastern European folk music and the classical composers it inspired. With the highly original combination of clarinet, trumpet, trombone, and double bass, we perform both village originals and concert hall works by Bartók, Berio, Schumann, Martinů and Janáček.
Our instrumentation has no established repertoire—every piece we perform is either a commissioned arrangement or our own transcription. This means each concert presents music that cannot be heard anywhere else in this formation.
11 performances completed in our debut 2025 season
Currently booking 2026-2027PROGRAMS
We offer three ready-to-book programs:Blurred Boundaries (60/80 min) - Folk and classical woven together
Folk Reimagined (45 min) - Focused on Balkan traditions
Midday Mosaic (30-40 min) - Compact showcaseCustom programming available for festivals and special themes
📄Download full program details with repertoire lists (PDF)WHY BOOK US]
✓ Professional, reliable ensemble - recent Amsterdam Conservatorium graduates
✓ Three ready-to-go programs for different venues and time slots
✓ Unique repertoire new for audiences
✓ No amplification needed for most venues
✓ Multilingual ensemble (EN, NL, IT, ES, DE)
✓ Available for pre-concert talks and educational workshops
✓ Strong debut season momentum with growing 2026 calendarRECENT VENUES]
Muziekgebouw Amsterdam • Festival Tuintonen Watergang •
Cool kunst en cultuur Heerhugowaard • Theater Veerensmederij AmersfoortWHAT PEOPLE SAY
"We were really flabbergasted by the formation, how good it sounds and how well it fits the repertory you choose...the many magic moments, the whistling!! That was truly fantastic and refreshingly unexpected."
— Dutch Classical Talent (competition jury)BOOKING IS EASY
Timeline: 6-12 months recommended (shorter timelines possible)
We provide: High-res photos, program notes, promotional materials
You need: Stage 4m x 3m, four music stands, standard lighting
Amplification: Not needed for most venuesLET'S TALK
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +31 614 806 324
We respond within 48 hours
Why book The Watergang Kwartet?
✔ Unique instrumentation:
Clarinet, trumpet, trombone, double bass—
folk energy meets classical precision.
✔ Flexible programs:
30–90 min sets, no amplification needed.
✔ Eastern European & Balkan soul:
From Bartók to Berio, and from traditional folk to bold new arrangements—
our repertoire bridges cultures and eras.
✔ Exclusive commissions & arrangements:
We perform music written and arranged for us,
ensuring a one-of-a-kind experience.
✔ Proven track record:
11+ concerts in 2025, including Muziekgebouw Amsterdam and Theater Veerensmederij Amersfoort.
✔ Easy collaboration:
Multilingual, professional, and responsive.
"...the many magic moments...we were really flabbergasted by the formation, how good it sounds..."
Dutch Classical Talent (jury feedback)