Mayke Rademakers
With a network of Artist Centres and Ateliers around the world, Yamaha works with leading players to support their performances and develop instrument designs and new ideas for the benefit of all musicians. Yamaha Artists share with us a passion for inspiring the next generation of players, and a belief that everybody should be encouraged to nurture their talent, connect with others and tell their stories through music.
Get to know Yamaha Artist and Cello Player Mayke Rademakers
Statement about your relation with Yamaha or your instrument:
My relationship with Yamaha goes way back. As a classical musician I always had a strong desire to improvise. Already during my classical music studies, I attended a jazz course in Improvisation. My career in classical music took off but I never strayed far from my urge to improvise. At a certain point in time, I was asked to perform on an electric Cello during a live broadcast at Theatre Carré in Amsterdam (NL). As soon as I picked up the instrument, it felt like coming home. I realized this instrument would allow me to pursue my desire to improvise and compose. By then, I had heard of Yamaha's Silent Cello and the exquisite quality of the instrument. I contacted Yamaha in Utrecht (NL), purchased the SVC 110 and this marks the beginning of a fantastic adventure. I went on to record the Bach Suites on my acoustic Cello and added my own improvisations, based on the Cello Suites, on the Silent Cello. I was absolutely stunned by the possibilities in sound the instrument offered me, and this inspired me to compose STAGIONI 2.0: A one-hour solo work for the Silent Cello. The piece premiered in Munich (Germany) after which I got in touch with Yamaha Hamburg. We discussed possibilities to collaborate and that's how I became a Yamaha Artist! I am very honoured and proud to be part of the Yamaha family and to become an ambassador of the SVC 110.
How does your instrument help you in your daily life as an artist?
I am a classical musician as well as an improvisor. As an improvisor I play the Yamaha Silent Cello SVC 110. The unique qualities in sound truly inspire me every day. It is a joy and a delight to search for effects and sounds and to get such an excellent response from the instrument. I connect my Silent Cello to effect pedals and a loop station. This allows me to play polyphonic on my own. It can be very intimate, lyrical, but also explosive, much like a Jimmy Hendrix rock solo. As a classical musician the Silent Cello inspires me to listen to my inner voice, express myself in a way that further develops my own style in composing as well as improving. It enlightens my daily life with joy and great fulfillment.
How would you characterise your instrument?
The Silent Cello is unique; it produces a beautiful cello sound, but can also be played as a fantastic bass, rock guitar or percussion. Whatever you create on it, it sounds excellent! To me the brilliancy and depth in sound is unparalleled.
Who was your most influential teacher and is there any advice which you still follow?
I had the privilege to study all over the world (US, Vienna, London, amongst others) with renowned teachers such as Janos Starker and William Pleeth. These experiences did not only contribute immensly to my technical development but attending these superb cultural centres also helped me to grow in so many ways!
Advice for a young musician:
Be grateful for your talent. Be critical in a positive way so you can build up your confidence! Learn as much as you can from different teachers. Learn by opening up to all kinds of influences and styles. And then: let it all go to follow your inner voice and fly!
