Classical saxophonist Arno Bornkamp is a unique figure in both the saxophone world and the classical music world in general. In his career, now spanning more than 40 years, he has amazed the music world of his energetic and stylish interpretations, full of lyricism and passion. He believes in the saxophone as an instrument with an infinite amount of nuance and colors, reflecting the human soul with all its shadings of light and dark. Bornkamp is a natural storyteller on his instrument, and offers a highly personal take in his interpretations of all the music he plays.
Bornkamp has given more than 200 performances as a soloist with orchestras all over the world. His repertiore spans from the standard repertoire for saxophone to new, often commisioned works. The ’Tallahatchie Concerto’ by Jacob ter Veldhuis ranks high in the latter category.
As a chambermusician Bornkamp has had long collaborations with his colleagues of the Aurelia Saxophone Quartet (1982-2017) and with pianist Ivo Janssen (1984-2019). Now, a.o., he is playing in ‘Duo Calvadoré’ with the Flemish pianist Jan Lust and ‘Trio Abril’ with Juani Palop on saxophone and Frank van de Laar on piano.
At the end of 2020 Bornkamp has launched a multimedia project ‘Little Big Horn’. Together with his former ‘Aurelia buddy’ André Arends he has created a multi-media performance with new music for baritone saxophone solo with pieces by Ryo Noda, Branford Marsalis, Tini Thomsen, Jan Menu, Gregory Wanamaker, Peter Vigh and Jacob ter Veldhuis.
Arno Bornkamp finds it essential to pass on his know-how to new generations of musicians, teaching at the Conservatory of Amsterdam where many of his students put his ideas into practice. He is also regularly invited to give masterclasses all over the world. In December 2023 he is elected president of the International Saxophone Committee.
Arno Bornkamp has released dozens of cd’s under his own name as well as with the Aurelia Quartet and in the context of other projects. His two latest (solo) cd projects have been released by the German label Genuin: ‘Dance- Bach by Bornkamp’ in February 2020 and ‘Folies de Baryton’ in May 2023. In 2024 he will release the new cd ‘Bornkamp & Friends play Henri Sauguet’.