Music is more than playing the right notes at the right time. Catherine Van Handel approaches each piece as an opportunity to sing through her instrument and connect with the audience.  Utilizing style passed down from old-world, European musicians combined with a model mastery of technique and sound, Catherine’s playing has been hailed as “expressive” and “startlingly lyrical.”

Applause

“The very source of inspiration for Tanganera goes back to when I studied composition at the Geneva Conservatory: a quote in Casella/Mortari’s The Technique of Contemporary Orchestration caught my attention: he called the bassoon « nonno », that is « grandfather ». The master, beyond a doubt, underestimated the noble instrument. Vivaldi, Mozart, Weber, Stravinsky, among others, proved that, on the contrary, it is incredibly flexible and agile, and is capable of expressing deep emotions. Since I started composing, I felt that there was a lack of « spicy stuff » in the bassoon repertoire and I chose to fill the void with my own personal seasoning through this latino scented musical scherzo, « muy caliente », in an unusual style for this instrument. I could not have dreamed of a better interpreter for this tasting of exotic sounds than the dedicatee: Catherine Van Handel.” – Rui dos Reis, composer

Listen to the world-premiere of Tanganera Astoriana

Catherine Van Handel is the Principal Bassoon of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, a position she has held since 2017. Prior to her current appointment, Van Handel was the Associate Principal Bassoon with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 2015-2017 and the Principal Bassoon with the Harrisburg Symphony in 2014-2015. Van Handel has played with other well-renowned orchestras across the country including the Philadelphia Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and National Symphony Orchestra.

“Catherine [Van Handel] approached the solos with the vocal phrasing of a great singer.” (Shepherd Express)

Listen to Catherine’s orchestral excerpts with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra

While still early in her career, Catherine Van Handel is taking steps to increase her voice in the classical music industry. She is passionate about promoting classical music to a new generation as well as helping fellow musicians achieve their professional goals. She is actively engaged in inspiring young musicians and women to reach their full potential. Please contact her to share your thoughts on how she can better serve the community and advocate for the arts while she continually strives to build her network and reach across the classical music industry.

Listen to Catherine’s Double Reed Dish Podcast Interview

Catherine Van Handel is passionate about teaching and in sharing tools to help musicians practice and perform at the highest level. Catherine Van Handel is the adjunct professor of bassoon at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. If you are interested in studying with her privately, at the undergraduate and graduate programs at UWM, please do not hesitate to contact her via Contact form!

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