Niek de Groot

Niek de Groot is a Dutch double bassist and Professor at Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen, Germany, where he has held his position since 1996. He is recognized as the only French Bow playing bassist to teach at this level in Germany. Originally a trumpet player, he began studying double bass at age 18 and rapidly advanced to become principal bassist with several European ensembles, including a decade-long tenure as first solo-bass with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.

His research and performance interests focus on:

• Solo and chamber music interpretations
• Contemporary classical repertoire
• Historical performance practice on period instruments
• Collaboration with living composers
• Technical development of double bass pedagogy

De Groot performs internationally at major concert venues and festivals, having released critically acclaimed recordings including solo works on NIMBUS and chamber music on BIS-records. He maintains active collaborations with composers and specializes in performance on rare instruments, most notably a 1747 Domenico Montagnana double bass.