Amsterdam: Art, Music, and Magic

Amsterdam has a fabulous assortment of cultural opportunities. While we are here we plan to sample a few!

The Rijksmuseum dominates the square and can be seen above the houses along street for a mile (well figuratively anyway). It is a world class experience. The artifacts of Dutch history and of the collection of the works of the Dutch Masters is a delight. The structure of the museum, with a great audio app, allows you to view the work, often offering a second lens( political, contextual, etc.) and sometimes a third, guiding you to a related painting or sculpture. You can nerd out or just go with the flow. A guided tour is another way to maximize your experience and insure you catch all the must sees.

The iconic paintings such as Vermeer’s Milkmaid and Lady in Blue, a taste of Van Gogh( there is a separate museum devoted to him a few steps away from the Rijks), and of course Rembrandt. Rembrandt’s Nightwatch is being restored. It hangs behind a glass wall where you can watch as conservator- restorers painstakingly remove the varnish that has discolored over time and meticulously clean and repair before revarnishing.

It is a glimpse into the art world rarely seen.

In the far end of the square, is the Royal Concertgebouw, home to perhaps the best orchestra in the world.

An experience in a concert hall in another country is always a people watching experience as well as a musical one. We enjoyed the pre-concert gathering as patrons sipped complementary wine, beer or coffee and chatted amiably at high top tables or cozy seating. Dress for an orchestra performance ranged from very stylish to youthful casual. But the magic is the music.

We had front row seats for the symphony. The intensity and the endurance of the string section was amazing- like an aerobic workout.

Surprisingly, we scored tickets for a jazz concert in the same venue. Without really knowing much going into the concert, we were blown away by Cécile Mclorin- Salvant and the Metropol orchestra conducted by Darcy James Argue.

Wow! Afterwards we discovered the background info to reinforce what we witnessed. Two uber talented and creative individuals. Cécile could interpret a Sondheim classic in a way that could bring you to tears or to a rye laugh. Darcy James has arranging chops that is fresh and complex and very cool. We will look to see them again at Carnegie Hall, NYC this spring.

The Dutch Masters are living large in Westergas at the Fabrique des Lumières. This immersion art experience is housed in the old gas building and is a fabulous venue for the experience. From Vermeers to Van Gogh it is a feast for the senses.

Color, light, dark, music, movement… the experience is breath taking. It highlights several artists while showing works by many more. Smaller niches display the actual pieces that are being turned on their heads in the larger venue. A small studio has the My Girl with a Pearl exhibit as Vermeers classic is modeled and adapted by « girls » from all over the world. Figuring out how to take the tram to get there just added to the accomplishment.

Amsterdam never fails to impress, and with so much culture packed into every corner, we’re already looking forward to what’s next.