Carel Kraayenhof
Biography Carel Kraayenhof
Carel Kraayenhof
(1958), bandoneonist, composer and arranger, is the most fascinating and versatile contemporary bandoneon player. Unique in his style due to his profound knowledge of the of Argentinean tango, he moves/touches any audience worldwide with his enchanting and honorable play. By working closely together with Astor Piazzolla (†1992) in 1987 during the Broadway show ‘Tango Apasionado’ and his long lasting personal friendship with the beloved Tango Maestro Osvaldo Pugliese (†1995), he developed into one of the most beloved bandeonists of this moment. One of his highlights was on 2-2-2002 as he passionately performed the moving ‘Adiós Nonino’ during the marriage ceremony of H.R.H. Prince Willem Alexander and H.R.H. Princess Maxima. Next to his work during the previous 21 years with his Sexteto Canyengue, he also worked with celebrities from the classical music scene such as: Ennio Morricone, Yo-Yo-Ma, the violinists Janine Jansen, Joshua Bell, and the cellist Quirine Viersen. He is an internationally welcome bandoneon soloist with various international symphonic orchestras such as for instance: the London Symphony Orchestra, the Berliner Philharmoniker, l’Orchestre National de Lyon,Tonkünstler Orchestra (Wenen), the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Cincinnatti Symphony Orchestra, the Sidney Symphony Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra with STING and many others.
That Carel does not limit himself to one single style of music is proven by his work together with singers Dulce Pontes and Sting. In the Netherlands he has recorded numbers with for instance André Hazes (Bloed, zweet en tranen), Blᴓf (Barcelona, Bougainville, Geen Tango), Trijntje Oosterhuis (Nu dat jij er bent), Dana Winner (Afscheid van een Vriend) and he performed with Marco Borsato.
Carel has received many awards, such as the ‘Edison Publieksprijs’ in 2003 for his CD ‘Tango Royal’ and in 2005 he was awarded by the Argentinean Government for his inexhaustible worldwide efforts for the Argentinean tango.
