Seventeen-year-old Ukrainian pianist Ivan Petrenko, a student at the Davidsbündler Academy in The Hague, has been selected for the prestigious VIRTUOS program on AVROTROS Klassiek. This appointment underscores his exceptional artistic talent and places him among promising young musicians on the path to an international career in classical music. At 17, Ivan is only the second pianist of his age to be selected for the VIRTUOS program. The only other one was Nikola Meeuwsen, who has since won the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Competition.
Milestone for Davidsbündler Academy
Although the Davidsbündler Academy has already produced students who have won international competitions in a short time, this selection represents an important milestone — both for Ivan, who is taking a step towards an international professional career in classical music, and for the academy itself.”
Founder and artistic director Anna Fedorova: “We are already very proud of the many awards our students have won, but this is a different story. Ivan’s selection demonstrates that the Davidsbündler Academy’s mission – guiding young top talent towards a sustainable, international professional career – is becoming a reality. It is tangible proof that the academy’s approach works at the highest level.”
While being selected for VIRTUOS is an important recognition, the academy sees it primarily as a beginning. Ivan will remain closely associated with the Davidsbündler Academy in the coming years, preparing for important performances, the recording of his debut album, collaborations with renowned musicians, and participation in major international competitions. “The next challenges are already upon us – and Ivan is ready for them,” says Fedorova. “We will continue to provide him with intensive support in this next, crucial phase of his development.”
About the VIRTUOS program
As part of the AVROTROS Klassiek talent development program, Ivan, along with cellist Stefano Bruno and violinist Hawijch Elders, will have the opportunity to record a professionally produced debut CD and perform in various media and concert halls. The CD recording will take place from May 6th to 8th, 2026, at the Broadcasting Music Centre in Hilversum. The highlight will be Ivan’s solo performance with the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra during the AVROTROS Friday Concert on May 21st, 2027, at TivoliVredenburg and the Sunday Morning Concert at the Concertgebouw.
About Ivan Petrenko
Ivan studied with Tatiana Abaieva in Kyiv between 2019 and 2022 and has been studying at the Davidsbündler Academy since its founding in 2022, with both Abaieva and Borys Fedorov. Since September 2025, he has been combining his studies at the academy with a bachelor’s degree at Codarts Rotterdam with Nino Gvetadze – a program he has just begun, which complements his main program at Davidsbündler.
He won major prizes at an early age, including the Yevhen Stankovych Competition (Kyiv), “Merci, Maestro!” (Belgium), the WPTA Spain International Piano Competition, and the “Kharkiv Meets Zurich” Competition.
As a soloist he has performed with the Britten Youth Orchestra, Kyiv Camerata, the Davidsbündler Chamber Orchestra, and the Hague Symphony Orchestra Euterpe, performing, among others, Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto.
For more information about Ivan Petrenko or the Davidsbündler Academy in The Hague:
The Hague trio Jimding will be bringing an eclectic mix of blues, roots, and Americana to Café de Stulp on Saturday evening, November 1st. Jimding describes their repertoire with a wink as consisting of “sexy shuffles, questionable love songs, uprooted roots and contemporary country & western tunes, raw rock ‘n’ roll, and various other musical treats.”
Jimding brings together three seasoned veterans: blues growler Jim Wake, bassist Nico Hart, and percussionist John den Exter. In a wide-ranging, original repertoire, Jimding ponders and ruminates on love and loss, trial and error, betrayal and farewell, the sublime and the ridiculous, served as a cocktail of irony, exasperation, and appreciation for life’s absurdities.
Typhoon‘s music is a celebration of being human, always with the message that we are enough: we are love. Glenn de Randamie is a storyteller who raps, speaks and sings in an honest and vulnerable way. He aptly captures big life themes in personal expressions about love, faith, choices, slavery and ambition.
Growing up in a large Surinamese family, with Portuguese, Chinese, Indian and Creole roots, it was inevitable that all these influences would find their way into his music. With a new album on the way, he will touring the Netherlands and returns to PAARD on 29 November.
With colourful, energetic and poetic musical stories, Typhoon takes you into the conversation going on in society, but especially in his personal life, and shines his light on it. Never pointing fingers, but always connecting. In his live shows, this connection becomes a real experience: you are taken not only musically, but also physically into the story he has to tell. At one song you are dancing and jumping, while at another you stay still to take in the heartfelt lyrics deeply. No matter where or how you listen to his music, Typhoon touches your soul and makes you think about your own life, vision and feelings.
It’s no secret that the retro style of life has taken root once more in today’s society. With the resurgence of pre-2000s culture visible everywhere. From clothing to pop culture, it’s evident that the old-fashioned is once again back in fashion. Most notably in music can this cultural rewind be seen, with the top artists of today once more choosing to release their latest albums on both vinyl and cassette, as well as online.
This has largely been thanks to a revival in public desire for less digital and more analogue ways of life, with many today seeking escape from the technologically encapsulated world we live in today. In recent years, vinyl’s popularity especially, has found itself rejuvenated and reawakened, with more people keen to listen to music specifically on non-digital platforms. This demand has certainly been met by supply, with many more new and vibrant record stores opening across Europe. A trend clearly visible in The Hague, with many record stores now open within walking distance of the city centre. Each offering diverse and broad arrangements of vinyl records fit for anyone’s musical taste.
The locations of each of the record stores in The Hague are in such close proximity to each other that one could certainly visit a great deal of them in a single day by merely walking around the city. The closest store to ‘The Spui’ (town centre) is Empire Records (on Korte Houtstraat 12), hosting a variety of records in a thinly built store tucked into a sidestreet just off the ‘Plein’ and 4-minute walk from ‘The Spui’. While the store contains an array of different styles and genres, it is certainly geared towards a mid to late 20th century crowd, with a deep and diverse selection of 60s, 70s, and 80s albums available here.
Not too far from Empire Records is Chippy Chasers on Papestraat, a small and cozily situated store that recently opened its doors in the last few months. It is host to a niche selection of house, garage, techno, and dub tracks and perfectly caters to that community with not only the plethora of records its walls behold but its easily browsable store layout only makes the customer experience more enjoyable for those vinyl lovers of house and techno beats.
Just a few hundred meters down from Chippy Chasers towards the Noordeinde Paleis is 3345 records (Noordeinde 87G), which holds the greatest collection of latest releases and modern artists, alongside some great classics as well as regional artists. The store holds perhaps the most comprehensive and diverse selection of vinyl records to be found in The Hague, as well as a small collection of cassettes available for all those walkman lovers out there. From Taylor Swift to Elvis Presley, the most well-known artists on vinyl can be found here.
Just the other side of the Paleis Town, at Noordwal 480, yet another great record store can be found. Situated alongside the picturesque canal, THE SHOP records is perhaps the best store on this list for second-hand, well-priced records. Especially for those looking for 60s and 70s tracks, alongside a whole host of regional classics. It’s a must visit for the more classically palleted listeners, and those looking for a great deal on some famous retro hits.
Just another quick walk down to the Grote Markt and another two great stores can be found. The first of which, CrazyHorse Recordstore (Prinsegracht 8), is situated just next to the Paardcafe, and is home to a nicely laid out selection of classic record hits as well as a lower level, adding to the extensive collection of albums and singles available in the store.
The second record store nearby, Vinyl Grove (Boekhorststraat 10), is just around the corner from CrazyHorse Recordstore and holds yet another great collection of records, this time focused towards 20th-century tunes. With the proximity of both these locations, it would certainly be worth visiting them as they are easily within a 2 minute walk of each other.
In addition to all these shops, many vinyl records are also available in other, non-vinyl-specific stores, such as Paagman (on Lange Poten 13-15) and Urban Outfitters (at Vlamingstraat 18), both of which hold, albeit limited, still decent numbers of records, largely from the latest artist releases.
It would certainly be worth it for anyone interested in vinyl to check out some of these locations, as they are all first-rate for all your record collection needs.
Get ready for a blistering ska spectacle with Madless, the ultimate tribute band to the legendary British group Madness! With irresistible hits like One Step Beyond, Baggy Trousers, and Our House, Madless brings not only the music but also the atmosphere, energy, and madness of Camden Town to Scheveningen. An evening full of driving rhythms, tight horns, and an infectious stage presence – Madless doesn’t just play the music, they live it.
Born from a pure passion for ska, reggae, and 2-Tone, Madless consists of a close-knit group of top musicians who know how to captivate the audience time and time again. Whether it’s an intimate hall show or a large festival stage, a Madless performance is guaranteed to be one big party. Put on your dancing shoes and join One Step Beyond – this will be an evening full of nostalgia, energy, and unforgettable moments!
Madless – Madness Tribute Band Saturday 29 November – 20:30 Podium Aan Zee, Keizerstraat 58 – Scheveningen
Following previous successful projects, the chamber choir for young singers YOIK presents a new program this fall: Sounds of the South . In this ninth project, YOIK delves into the vocal richness of the Southern Hemisphere. The audience is taken on a musical journey through South America, Africa, Indonesia, and Oceania – music full of rhythm, spirituality, and energy.
Musical discovery tourThe selected works are deeply rooted in rituals and traditions in which song has a unifying power: between people, with nature, and with the past. From South African harmonies to Brazilian folk music, from Indonesian mysticism to sounds from Australia – and each time, the central question is: What can we learn from these cultures? How do we sing with respect and wonder, without appropriating?
Highlights from the programThe program contains a rich mix of styles and stories, including:
Hanacpachap Cussicuinin (Peru, 1631) The oldest multi-part choral work in an indigenous South American language—Quechua. A hymn of praise that blends Spanish polyphony and Inca spirituality.
Past Life Melodies (Australia) A hypnotic soundscape with overtone singing that evokes ancient memories. A world-famous piece in choral music, inspired by Aboriginal traditions.
Baba Yetu (South Africa) The famous Our Father in Swahili, known from the game Civilization IV. Rhythmic, monumental, and a dazzling finale to the program.
Power and inspirationUnder the direction of conductor Raoul Boesten, chamber choir YOIK presents a program that emphasizes diversity, rhythm, and spirituality. Boesten: “Singing is the mirror to the soul, the gateway to religion, the path to yourself.”
Sounds of the South promises a concert where music blurs boundaries and voices converge. The audience is invited to be carried away by rhythms, melodies, and stories that surprise and deepen.
Concert dates
The Hague – November 2, 2025, 3:15 PM (German Church)
The Hague – November 8, 2025, 8:15 PM (Ichthus Church)
Maps & information Tickets are available via www.yoik.nl .
About YOIKChamber choir YOIK is an ambitious choir from The Hague for young singers.Since its founding in 2017, YOIK has made a name for itself with innovative projects that combine quality, thematic depth, and conviviality.
