Biography

The SoundLake Duo was born from a shared musical connection during the Dutch competition Classic Young Masters. With the intriguing work Rare Sugar by Nigel Westlake, Jules Baeten and Elisabeth immediately made a strong impression: their performance was broadcast on Klara and awarded the Classic Young Masters Award. What began as a competition project quickly grew into a close and promising collaboration.

Since then, the duo has performed regularly across Belgium and the Netherlands, appearing on renowned stages such as De Doelen in Rotterdam, Podium Witteman (now Podium Klassiek), the Rosa Spier Huis, and the Klara Festival.

The SoundLake Duo stands for more than the classical repertoire alone. With a curious and narrative approach, they bring lesser-known and contemporary works to life. The video recordings on this page, made possible with the support of the Willem Mengelberg Fund and Classic Young Masters, offer a glimpse into their musical world and artistic vision.

Im Volkston – a musical journey through Europe

With the program Im Volkston, the SoundLake Duo presents an enchanting program in which folk music forms the common thread. Composers from different countries and periods draw inspiration from dances, melodies, and rhythms rooted in their own traditions. The result is a colorful and layered journey through Europe, where the folk element is transformed into refined chamber music.

Inspired by Robert Schumann’s view on the folk tradition, the duo explores how diverse styles of folk music give rise to new musical languages. The program is carefully constructed and highlights these influences from different perspectives.

In the 19th century, Schumann sought a direct, almost naive expression in his 5 Stücke im Volkston, where simple melodies and dance-like rhythms create an intimate dialogue between clarinet and piano. Edvard Grieg evokes the atmosphere of a Norwegian folk dance in Gangar, full of asymmetrical accents and characteristic rhythms that reflect rural life.

A century later, Witold Lutosławski draws on Polish folk dances in his Dance Preludes, where raw energy meets refined harmonies. With Hommage à Manuel de Falla, Béla Kovács honors the Spanish tradition through colors and rhythms reminiscent of flamenco and Iberian folk music. The clarinet sonata by Mieczysław Weinberg brings Eastern European influences to life in an expressive blend of melancholy, lyricism, and dance-like impulses.

Together, these works show how folk music transcends borders and remains a lasting source of inspiration. Im Volkston invites you to listen, discover, and travel along, from intimate stillness to exuberant dance.