Jörgen van Rijen
Jörgen
van Rijen was born on February 20, 1975 and started playing the trombone
at age 8. From 1991 he studied with George Wiegel at the Rotterdam Conservatory
where he finished his solo degree with the highest mark possible. He also
studied with Michel Becquet at the Conservatoire National Supérieur
de Musique de Lyon and had lessons and masterclasses with several teachers,
such as Joseph Alessi, Bart van Lier and the Paris Trombone Quartet.
Since 1997, Jörgen has been principal trombonist with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam. Before that he held the same position with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. He also teaches the trombone at the Rotterdam Conservatory.
He has won several prizes and competitions, including first prize at the International Trombone Competition in Toulon (France) in 2001, first prize at the International Trombone Competition in Guebwiller (France) in 1999, and first prize at the Holiday-Inn/Classic FM Competition in 1997. He was also laureate of the International Brass Competition of Nizhny Novgorod in Russia.
In March 2001, Jörgen made his solo debut with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra performing the Tomasi Trombone Concerto. He has also performed as soloist with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, The Netherlands Fanfare Orchestra, New Sinfonietta Amsterdam and the Wind Band of the Royal Dutch Marines. He has given recitals and masterclasses at the Festival Radio France in Montpellier, Lieksa Brass Week in Finland, New York, Toronto, Tokyo, Helsinki, Lisbon and Amsterdam. (Courtois)