A Brilliant Noise develops new concert productions in which exceptional musicians with refugee or migrant backgrounds collaborate with leading musicians from the international classical music world.
Based in Amsterdam, we create productions for concert halls, theatres and festivals in the Netherlands and internationally.
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Confluence ↓ Artists ↓ Production info ↓ Performance dates ↓ Bookings ↓ Press & downloads ↓
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Confluence brings together Iranian-Dutch guitarist Hamid Reza Behzadian and the Alma Quartet, formed by musicians of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Music from different traditions does not simply sit side by side, but intertwines: newly composed and arranged work, improvisation and music by Erich Wolfgang Korngold form a single musical thread.
Poetry by Asmae Amaddaou adds a personal layer exploring identity, memory and the idea of home. Staging and dramaturgy are by Sieta Keizer; artistic direction, composition and arrangements by Kay Sleking, with original melodies and improvisations by Hamid Reza Behzadian.
Confluence takes the music of Hamid Reza Behzadian as its starting point. His melodies and improvisations form the basis for new compositions and arrangements in which his musical world and that of the Alma Quartet intertwine.
Fragments from the music of Erich Wolfgang Korngold become part of this new musical structure. Not as separate repertoire, but as material that is transformed, answered and woven into Hamid’s music.
“In his home country, Hamid could not let this music be heard freely. Now he plays what wants to be heard.”
Hamid Reza Behzadian connects Persian and Middle Eastern melodic traditions with the expressiveness of American blues.
Through the Indian slide guitar, he immersed himself in North Indian classical music, where improvisation and microtonal refinement are central.
In Confluence, his musical world meets the Alma Quartet.
From these compositions and melodic themes, artistic director Kay Sleking develops new musical structures and arrangements. Improvisation, composition and dramaturgy come together to create new repertoire in which different musical traditions do not simply sit side by side, but intertwine.
The Alma Quartet moves naturally within the classical string quartet repertoire while also exploring new musical languages and collaborations beyond the canon.
In Confluence, the quartet enters into an equal musical dialogue with Hamid Reza Behzadian, connecting the European string quartet tradition with microtonality and improvisation.
GUEST PERFORMER ON 10 OCTOBER
During Confluence on 10 October at Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ, actress, writer and director Jouman Fattal performs poetry by Asmae Amaddaou.
Jouman Fattal has twice been nominated for a Golden Calf and works as an actress, writer and director in theatre and film.
Spoken word artist and poet Asmae Amaddaou adds a new layer to Confluence through her words. Her writing moves between personal history and themes of identity, loss, memory and connection.
Her collection Brand lieverd brand is an important source for Confluence. Her poetry does not stand apart from the music, but becomes part of its dramaturgical and musical thread.
Artistic direction, composition & arrangements
Kay Sleking
Original melodies & improvisations
Hamid Reza Behzadian
Staging & dramaturgy
Sieta Keizer
Soloist
Hamid Reza Behzadian — Indian slide guitar
Alma Quartet
(musicians of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra)
Marc Daniel van Biemen — violin
Benjamin Peled — violin
Jeroen Woudstra — viola
Joris van den Berg — cello
Spoken word & text
Asmae Amaddaou
Repertoire
New compositions and arrangements, improvisation and music by Erich Wolfgang Korngold
Running time
Approx. 75 minutes
Available for
Concert halls, theatres and festivals in the Netherlands and internationally
Technical requirements
Technical rider available on request
10 October 2026
Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ — 100th IJ-Salon, Amsterdam
29 November 2026
Bijlmer Parktheater — Bijlmer Klassiek, Amsterdam
Confluence is available for concert halls, theatres and festivals in the Netherlands and internationally.
Interested in Confluence or curious about the possibilities?
Contact Kay Sleking, Artistic Director of A Brilliant Noise.
For programmers, press and partners, images and background information about A Brilliant Noise and Confluence are available.
Press information Confluence (PDF) ↓
Press photos Confluence ↓
Artist press photos ↓
A Brilliant Noise Logo↓
Confluence is made possible with the support of our partners, funds and donors.
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