Boris Bezemer composes music for instruments of all kinds, often combining them in unexpected ways. His work explores the unfamiliar, where divergent voices come together in a comforting kind of turbulence.

Growing up cycling through the forests of Gelderland, Boris played guitar, programmed computers, and imagined becoming an inventor. Now based in Amsterdam, the composer invents music from the desire for the unknown—that element of strangeness so essential to romance.

Bezemer’s compositions explore a balance between structure and play, often weaving improvisation into composed scores.

Education

• 2015–17MMus Composition, Conservatorium van Amsterdam (CvA), The Netherlands
• 2010–15BMus Composition and Music Technology, Utrecht University of the Arts (HKU), The Netherlands
• 2014Exchange, Centre for Research in New Music (CeReNeM), University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom
• 2013Exchange, Saints Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje (UKIM), Macedonia

Residencies

• 2025Yamaha Disklavier Residency, Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 2021Organ & Plastics, Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 2020Bijloke Summer Academy, LOD music theatre, De Bijloke, Ghent, Belgium
• 2020Chain Composition, Orgelpark, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 2019Phonetic Stories, Asko Schönberg and De Tekstsmederij, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 2017Voix Nouvelles, Abbey of Royaumont, France
• 2015Composer in Residence, Conlon Foundation, Muziekhuis, Utrecht, The Netherlands
• 2014Summer Media Studio, collaboration platform, Neringa, Lithuania
• 2013Summer Media Studio, collaboration platform, Neringa, Lithuania

Workshops

• 2023Let’s Play, clown workshop led by An Valenteyn, Antwerp, Belgium
• 2018Impuls Academy, composition workshop, Graz, Austria
• 2017ManiFeste, orchestra workshop, Paris, France

Grants and Awards

• 2025Honorable Mention, Da_sh editions International Composition Competition, Madrid, Spain
• 2022Werkbijdrage Muziekauteur, Performing Arts Fund NL, The Netherlands
• 2020Werkbijdrage Muziekauteur, Performing Arts Fund NL, The Netherlands
• 2015HKU Award for Best Artistic Achievement, Utrecht University of the Arts (HKU), Utrecht, The Netherlands
• 2013Best Composer Award, Summer Media Studio, Nida, Lithuania

Collaborative

• 2018–21 Co-host of radio show with Luke Deane, Stranded FM, Gaudeamus
• 2018–19 Electronic music assistant, Thirty Situations, Joël Bons
• 2016–nowMember of Conlon Collective, formerly known as the Conlon Foundation, www.conlon.nl
• 2012–19 Co-founder, VONK, www.borisbezemer.nl/vonk

Publicity

• 2023Zes jonge Nederlandse componisten om in de gaten te houden, article by Merlijn Kerkhof, de Volkskrant, www.volkskrant.nl
• 2023Avondconcert: nieuwjaarsspecial, interview by Wouter Pleijsier and performance of Toonzetting by Agostinho Sequeira, Arjan Jongsma, Ramon van Engelenhoven & Shane van Neerden, NPO Radio 4, www.nporadio4.nl
• 2022Podium: EarBites, interview by Dieuwertje Blok and performance of Harp Piece by Michela Amici, NPO Radio 4, www.nporadio4.nl
• 2021November Music 2021: met James Oesi en Juho Myllylä, interview by Aad van Nieuwkerk, VPRO, www.vpro.nl
• 2020Coronaproof Figaro overtuigt bij DNO, article by Peter Franken, Place de l’Opera, www.operamagazine.nl
• 2020Componist Boris Bezemer over zijn OFFspring-opera, article by Laura Roling, Nationale Opera & Ballet, www.operaballet.nl
• 2018Wervelende showcase voor jonge componisten, article by Joep Christenhusz, NRC, www.nrc.nl
• 2018Moderne techniek is niet weg te denken uit het nieuwe klassieke componeren, article by Frits van der Waa, de Volkskrant, www.volkskrant.nl
• 2018An Evening of Today, interview by Aad van Nieuwkerk, VPRO, www.vpro.nl
• 2017Podium: EarBites, interview by Dieuwertje Blok and live performance of Wolken, NPO Radio 4
• 2016Bijdetijds, radio show by Harrold Roeland, Concertzender, www.concertzender.nl
• 2012Museum Night at the Stedelijk, programme, www.stedelijk.nl

Performances

2025

• 05.17 On Our Way, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 05.14 On Our Way, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
• 03.27–30 Crying Rubber Ducks, Boyan Montero, Art Rotterdam, Ahoy, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
• 03.07 Infinity, Yamaha Disklavier Residency, Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ, Amsterdam The Netherlands

2024

• 10.12 Close To Harmony, King Sisters, KIEM Festival, Oostende, Belgium
• 09.25 Close To Harmony, King Sisters, Theater aan het Spui, The Hague, The Netherlands
• 09.21 Close To Harmony, King Sisters, De Sloot Festival, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 09.19 Close To Harmony, King Sisters, Grand Theatre, Groningen, The Netherlands
• 08.04-16 The Morning Dew, Ricciotti Ensemble, The Netherlands & Ireland
• 07.05 Harp Piece, Michela Amici, Down The Rabbit Hole, Beuningen, The Netherlands
• 06.15 Toonzetting, Toonzetters, Musis, Arnhem, The Netherlands
• 05.31 Toonzetting, Toonzetters Ensemble, Oranjewoud Festival, The Netherlands
• 05.23 Close To Harmony, King Sisters, Theater aan de Rijn, Arnhem, The Netherlands
• 05.20 Close To Harmony, King Sisters, O. Festival, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
• 05.19 Close To Harmony, King Sisters, O. Festival, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
• 05.14 Close To Harmony, King Sisters, Park Theater, Pand P, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
• 05.02 Close To Harmony, King Sisters, Zaal 3, The Hague The Netherlands
• 04.26 Close To Harmony, King Sisters, De Lieve Vrouw, Amersfoort, The Netherlands
• 04.24 Close To Harmony, King Sisters, Frascati, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 04.23 Close To Harmony, King Sisters, Frascati, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 04.12 Close To Harmony, King Sisters, Via Zuid, Theater aan het Vrijthof, Maastricht The Netherlands
• 04.11 Close To Harmony, King Sisters, Podium Bloos, Breda, The Netherlands
• 04.10 Close To Harmony, King Sisters, De Nieuwe Vorst, Tilburg, The Netherlands
• 04.05 Close To Harmony, King Sisters, Theater Kikker, The Netherlands
• 03.19 Close To Harmony, King Sisters, Festival Cement, Verkadefabriek, Den Bosch, The Netherlands
• 03.18 Close To Harmony, King Sisters, Festival Cement, Verkadefabriek, Den Bosch, The Netherlands
• 03.17 Close To Harmony, King Sisters, Festival Cement, Verkadefabriek, Den Bosch, The Netherlands
• 03.16 Close To Harmony, King Sisters, Festival Cement, Verkadefabriek, Den Bosch, The Netherlands
• 02.24 Bass Piece, James Oesi, Andriessen Festival, Musis, Arnhem, The Netherlands

2023

• 11.04 Toonzetting, Toonzetters, Sounds of Music, Groningen, The Netherlands
• 07.28 Toonzetting, Toonzetters, Mittelfest, Chiesa di San Francesco, Cividale del Friuli, Italy
• 06.25 I Love You, Duo Ebano, The 3rd Appia Antica Chamber Music Festival, Rome, Italy
• 06.17 Toonzetting, Toonzetters, De Philharmonie, Haarlem, The Netherlands
• 03.04 The Mountain, Ensemble Resilience, Festival Dag in de Branding, Korzo, The Hague, The Netherlands
• 01.26 Toonzetting, Toonzetters, Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ, Amsterdam The Netherlands

2022

• 12.24 Sci-Fi Kerstmis, Pynarello, Sci-Fi Kerst, TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht, The Netherlands
• 12.23 Sci-Fi Kerstmis, Pynarello, Sci-Fi Kerst, Het Cenakel, Tilburg, The Netherlands
• 12.20 Sci-Fi Kerstmis, Pynarello, Sci-Fi Kerst, Vondelkerk, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 12.18 Sci-Fi Kerstmis, Pynarello, Sci-Fi Kerst, Nieuwe Badkapel, The Hague, The Netherlands
• 12.17 Sci-Fi Kerstmis, Pynarello, Sci-Fi Kerst, De Doelen, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
• 11.18 Toonzetting, Toonzetters, TROMP Percussion, Muziekgebouw Eindhoven, The Netherlands
• 11.06 Toonzetting, Toonzetters, November Music, Den Bosch, The Netherlands
• 11.06 Harp Piece, Michela Amici, November Music, Den Bosch, The Netherlands
• 10.28 Toonzetting, Toonzetters, Intro in Situ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
• 10.15 Toonzetting, Toonzetters, Festival Dag in de Branding, Amare, The Netherlands
• 10.01 Accordion Piece, Erica Roozendaal, 12½ jaar Hard//hoofd, Het HEM, Zaandam, The Netherlands
• 09.18 Door De Grond Heen, Two Envelopes, Nieuwe Noten, Plein Theater, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 09.18 Harp Piece, Michela Amici, Nieuwe Noten, Plein Theater, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 09.16 Harp Piece, Michela Amici, Podium Pakhûs SOLO, Stinze-Stiens, The Netherlands
• 09.11 Harp Piece, Michela Amici, Gaudeamus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
• 08.18 Harp Piece, Michela Amici, EarBites, Rode Hoed, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 08.15 Harp Piece, Michela Amici, Grachtenfestival, De Duif, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 08.15 Toonzetting, Toonzetters, Grachtenfestival, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 07.17 Toonzetting, Toonzetters, Wonderfeel, ’s-Graveland, The Netherlands
• 06.11 Improvisation, with artist/choreographer Kees de Haan, Vondelbunker, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 06.04 Toonzetting, Toonzetters, Oranjewoud Festival, The Netherlands
• 05.22 Toonzetting, Toonzetters, Splendor, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 05.21 Toonzetting, Toonzetters, MuziekHaven, Zaandam. The Netherlands
• 05.20 Schakel Drie, Orgelpark, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 05.15 Door De Grond Heen, Two Envelopes, Tante Nino, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
• 05.14 Door De Grond Heen, Two Envelopes, Paviljoen Ongehoorde Muziek, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
• 05.13 Door De Grond Heen, Two Envelopes, ChampdAction, De Singel, Antwerpen, Belgium
• 05.12 Door De Grond Heen, Two Envelopes, Club Fluxus, TivoliVredenburg, The Netherlands
• 03.27 Schakel Drie, Orgelpark, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 03.27 Harpsichord Piece, Wesley Shen, The Grey Space in the Middle, The Hague, The Netherlands
• 03.26 Harpsichord Piece, Wesley Shen, Looiersgracht 60, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 02.20 Bass Piece and November, Juho Myllylä and James Oesi, The Bookstore, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2021

• 12.19 Życie Strzępów (Cztery Rysunki) (Life of Shreds (Four Drawings)), Sauna Studio, Warsaw, Poland
• 12.09 Door De Grond Heen, Two Envelopes, SMOG, Brussels, Belgium
• 11.07 Bass Piece and November, Juho Myllylä and James Oesi, Jazzwerkplaats, November Music, Den Bosch, The Netherlands
• 11.07 I Love You, Duo Ebano, November Music, Den Bosch, The Netherlands
• 10.22 Bass Piece, James Oesi, Podium Pakhûs SOLO, Stinze-Stiens, The Netherlands
• 10.11 Underwater, Ensemble Resilience, Canary Islands International Music Festival, Tenerife
• 10.06 Underwater, Ensemble Resilience, Club Fluxus, Tivoli, Utrecht, The Netherlands
• 09.18 Underwater, Ensemble Resilience, Muze van Zuid, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 09.11 Ontscheppen, with Janne Piksen and Noortje Luning, Veenfabriek, Leiden, The Netherlands
• 09.10 The Association Game, with Luke Deane, Gaudeamus and Stranded FM, Utrecht, The Netherlands
• 09.01 Schakel Drie, Orgelpark, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 07.11 Organ & Plastics, Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 07.03 Ontscheppen, with Janne Piksen and Noortje Luning, Minimal Music Festival, Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2020

• 11.27 Bring Me A Storm, Nationale Opera & Ballet, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 11.19 I Love You, Duo Ebano, Muze van Zuid, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 10.10 I Love You, Duo Ebano, Concertgemaal, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 10.03 Door De Grond Heen, Two Envelopes, Gesellschaft für zeitgenössische Musik Aachen, Belgium
• 09.11 I Love You, Duo Ebano, Gaudeamus, TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht, The Netherlands
• 09.11 The Association Game, with Luke Deane, Gaudeamus and Stranded FM, Utrecht, The Netherlands
• 08.30 The Association Game, with Luke Deane, Gaudeamus and Stranded FM, Utrecht, The Netherlands
• 08.23 The Association Game, with Luke Deane, Gaudeamus and Stranded FM, Utrecht, The Netherlands
• 06.02 Mobile, The Bookstore, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 01.19 Door De Grond Heen, Two Envelopes, Klangforum, Tankturm, Heidelberg, Germany
• 01.18 Door De Grond Heen, Two Envelopes, Vernissage HiKK, Hilsbach, Germany
• 01.17 Door De Grond Heen, Two Envelopes, House Concert, Würzburg, Germany, Germany
• 01.17 Knipperflits, with VONK, Night of Experimental Boredom, Dordrecht, The Netherlands
• 01.12 Bass Piece, James Oesi, Nieuwe Noten, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 01.10 I Love You, Duo Ebano, Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2019

• 11.21 Bass Piece, James Oesi, Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, United Kingdom
• 11.17 Door De Grond Heen, Two Envelopes, Ypres Interactive Art Project, Brussels, Belgium
• 11.09 Bass Piece, James Oesi, November Music, Den Bosch, The Netherlands
• 10.31 Phonetic Stories, Theater Bellevue, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 09.13 Holy Disorders, with Boyan Montero, Dom Church, Utrecht, The Netherlands
• 09.07 The Association Game, with Luke Deane, Gaudeamus and Stranded FM, Utrecht, The Netherlands
• 09.06 Bass Piece, James Oesi, Gaudeamus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
• 08.25 Door De Grond Heen, Two Envelopes, Sint-Amanduskerk, Bekegem, Belgium
• 08.15 Bass Piece, James Oesi, Grachtenfestival, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 06.30 Door De Grond Heen, Two Envelopes, Q-O2, Brussels, Belgium
• 06.07 Organ Piece, Orgelpark, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 03.19 Sad Piece, performed by Christine Cornwell, Splendor, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 01.28 Ice Floes, New Weird Huddersfield, Huddersfield, United Kingdom
• 01.25 Ice Floes, Post-Paradise, Birmingham, United Kingdom

2018

• 11.09 Organ Piece, Orgelpark, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 09.11 The Association Game, with Luke Deane, Gaudeamus and Stranded FM, Utrecht, The Netherlands
• 09.07 Dream Work, Ensemble Nikel, TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht, The Netherlands
• 05.27 Niets dan ijsbergen: twee scènes uit het dagboek van Hidde Dirks Kat, Hervormde Kerk, Hollum, Ameland, The Netherlands
• 05.05 Niets dan ijsbergen: twee scènes uit het dagboek van Hidde Dirks Kat, Vrijheidsmaaltijd, Componistendiner, Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 02.17 A Puppet Opera, Korzo Theatre, The Hague, The Netherlands
• 02.15 A Puppet Opera, Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2017

• 09.21 Nature, Freud Festival, Public Library Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 09.10 An Account Of Imaginary Or Real People And Events, Voix Nouvelles, Royaumont, France
• 09.10 For Cassandra, Gaudeamus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
• 08.19 Wolken, Grachtenfestival, Compagnietheater, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 07.06 Niets dan ijsbergen: twee scènes uit het dagboek van Hidde Dirks Kat, Sexyland, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 06.28 Orchestra Piece, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Maison de la radio et de la Musique, Paris, France
• 06.16 The Laughing Heart (for choir), Oosterkerk, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 05.13 Verbena, Composers' Festival, Conservatorium van Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 05.11 Clones, Composers' Festival, Conservatorium van Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 03.24 Verbena, Opera Forward Festival, National Opera & Ballet, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 03.02 For Cassandra, Conservatory of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2016

• 11.10 Niets Dan IJsbergen: Two Scenes From The Diary Of Hidde Dirks Kat, Perdu, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 10.14 Nature And Looks, Seoul, South Korea
• 09.09 Accordion Piece, Gaudeamus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
• 09.09 Grinnin’ In Your Face, Gaudeamus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
• 06.13 Whittle, Koninklijk Conservatorium, Brussels, Belgium
• 05.15 Chant, Toets des Tijds, Het Veem, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 04.14 For Four Players, Splendor, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 03.18 Aerjen, Dutch National Opera, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2015

• 12.03 Four Pieces for Violin, Bernard Haitinkzaal, Conservatory of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 11.28 Four Pieces for Violin, Code Rood, Arnhem, The Netherlands
• 10.20 Mobile and Spring, ConTempora Ensemble, E-Kustika, Skopje, North Macedonia
• 09.09 Chant for disklavier, Gaudeamus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
• 08.09 Mobile, SIRGA Festival, Flix, Spain
• 07.07 Chant for ensemble, Gaudeamus Sessies #9, Muziekhuis, Utrecht, The Netherlands
• 03.05 Spring for eight loudspeakers, Nicolaïkerk, Utrecht, The Netherlands
• 01.28 Spring, Nature and Looks, Mobile, Soni[K]ab, Huddersfield, United Kingdom

2014

• 05.26 Nature, Splendor, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2013

• 11.13 VONK Theater, Skomrahi Festival, Skopje, North Macedonia
• 02.09 Daniel Johnston, Museum IJsselstein, IJsselstein, The Netherlands

2012

• 11.03 Knipperflits, Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands