Arthur Klaassens is a multi-faceted and versatile oboist based in The Netherlands. As an instrumentalist and an arranger, he is always looking to shed new light on existing repertoire, as well as exploring new avenues of expression and meaning in contemporary music. He is an active chamber musician, having co-founded Trio Cortado, for which he is the main arranger. In 2017 their CD “Couleur Locale” was released on the Dutch label 7MNTN Records. New developments have been a constant in his career. Last season he became the first Dutch owner of a Lupophone, a new type of bass oboe developed by Guntram Wolf. Using this newly expanded instrumentarium he released his unique debut cd Ratio, which was released in March of 2020. Various new works have been commissioned to include this exciting new instrument. Arthur also has extensive experience playing with professional ensembles and orchestras. He plays with the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra and Brussels Philharmonic, and as principal oboe with the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonic Orchestra of The Hague, Phion, and the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. He is also a welcome guest in ensembles such as the ASKO|Schönberg ensemble, Combattimento and the Calefax reed quintet.“Mr. Klaassens is an excellent musician and his arrangement of New York Counterpoint is very good.” – Steve Reich