What do you like about the clarinet?

I have chosen the clarinet from an early age, from the age of nine. My parents actually wanted me to play the oboe, but I was too small at the time. Then they said start on clarinet first. Then I liked the clarinet so much that after a few years when they asked if I wanted to take oboe after all. I said that I wanted to stay with the clarinet.

The bass clarinet only came to me at a very late stage. I knew I would like it, but I only studied clarinet during my studies. Finally positions with orchestras in the Netherlands became available with bass clarinet. I started to pick it up and it immediately clicked. It suited me. Therein lies my strength and my character. I'm very happy with that.

Do you have a certain ritual before a concert?

Because I play multiple instruments, so on clarinets, I always put everything down early. Then I'm already on stage while the audience enters the room and I always like to look around who I'm playing for. Who are the people in the room? Do I recognize the regular visitors? Like 'so and so are there again'. That gives me the feeling of what I do it for. I'm playing for those people tonight.

What makes a concert a fantastic concert for you?

When you have the ultimate concert you forget everything around you. Then you don't know what time it is and then you don't actually know that there is an audience at that moment. You do feel the audience though. Then it is successful.

Do you have a favourite place in Rotterdam?

I always arrive at Rotterdam Central Station by train. Also in the evening and in the winter when it is dark. Then I walk from the station to de Doelen and if you look around you see all these highrise buildings around you and everything is lit up. I always find that very nice to see.