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The Dutch conductor, pianist, music teacher and arranger, Bernhard Touwen, studied with the great piano pedagogue Aquiles Delle Vigne (1994-1996). After receiving the DM and UM degrees in Classical Piano from him at the Rotterdams Conservatorium (Codarts), he went hs own way as a pianist. After his piano studies, he continued his training as a conductor and pianist. In 2000 he successfully completed his 2nd phase choral conducting studies (cum laude).
Bernhard Touwen has conducted many works for choir and orchestra, including the Requiem op. 60 by Josef Rheinberger; Great Masses, Die Schöpfung, Stabat Mater and Die sieben letzte Worte by Haydn; Messiah by George Frideric Handel; Litanies, Vesperae, Requiem and Davide Penitente by W.A. Mozart; the Mass in C by L.v. Beethoven; the rarely performed but magisterial, grand oratorio Moses by Bruch; Lauda Sion, Lobgesang and Elias by Felix Mendelssohn; Psalm Symphony by Igor Stravinsky; Ein Deutsches Requiem, Schicksalslied and Altrhapsodie by Johannes Brahms; Requiem by Maurice Duruflé, Miserere by Rossini; Kullervo by Sibelius; Johannes-Passion BWV 245, Matthäus-Passion BWV 244, Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248 and Oster-Oratorium BWV 249 by J.S. Bach. More modern composers are also featured: Arvo Pärt, Gjeilo, Lauridsen or forays into other cultures with e.g. Ramirez's Missa Criolla.
Since 2008 Bernhard Touwen has been artistic director and chief conductor of the chamber orchestra Concerto Brabant; with it he performs several programs annually. In December 2009, he made his debut with the Nederlands Kamerkoor and the Combattimento Consort Amsterdam. With this world-renowned company, he conducted a highly successful performance of the integral Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248 in a sold-out Grote Kerk in Naarden. 'A remarkable achievement' according to newspaper Trouw.
In June 2013, Bernhard Touwen was selected to attend an important international conducting master-class led by legendary pedagogue Jorma Panula with the Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra. He impressed there with his interpretation of Janacek's Taras Bulba and J. Brahms' Tragic Overture, among others.
Bernhard Touwen's interpretations of both Baroque and Romantic works are widely praised. For example, his performance of W.A. Mozart's Symphony No. 40 elicited many enthusiastic responses, as did his festive and intense performance of G.F. Handel's Messiah. In 2017, he conducted Verdi's Requiem, among others, as well as Monteverdi's Mariavespers with great success. Since then, many more well-received performances have followed, including the Carmina Burana, the Requiems of M. Duruflé, Gabriel Fauré, J.G. Rheinberger, Michael Haydn and W.A. Mozart.
Bernhard Touwen is frequently requested for guest conducting. He is Owner/Teacher at Pianoles in Rossum, gemeente Maasdriel; and Owner/Teacher at International Piano Art Academy in Den Bosch (since August 2015). |
