During the Buma New Music Conference, Arjan Linker from New Amsterdam won the Buma Classical Award 2025. At 25 years old, he is the youngest composer ever to receive this award.
In addition to being a composer, Linker is also a trombonist and specializes in North Indian classical music. According to the jury, he received the award for his striking presence with both his own compositions and arrangements in the cultural circuit over the past two years.
Linker responds proudly: “It is an enormous honor to receive such a prize. Especially when I look at all the colleagues who have received it before, such as Jan de Haan and Johan de Meij. But also great examples of new music for me, such as Jacob ter Veldhuis and also more recently a younger colleague: Mathilde Wantenaar, who is about 30 years old and is taking the symphonic world by storm.”
The Buma Classical Award is an annual lifetime achievement award, based on statistics. Linker explains: “The award is given by BumaStemra, the copyright organization. They ensure that when your music is played, you get what you are entitled to. They keep statistics on how often they pay out pieces for you. And this award is for people who are high on that list.”
According to Mark van Schaick of Buma Cultuur, Linker is a special winner. “This is quite unique, I have never seen someone so young win this before. The prize often goes to more experienced composers who have been in the field for a longer time.”
But how does he explain that the 25-year-old Linker still manages to reach the top 20? “He is a textbook example of someone who has everything in order artistically, but also carries out the business side well,” says Van Schaick. “He registers with BumaStemra when he performs and what arrangements he makes. And by registering everything, you build up a neat list that other musicians can use.”
Van Schaick describes Linker’s work as predominantly modern, but easily accessible. “His work is really performed regularly. This way he continues to circulate in classical music circles, it is a wheel that keeps rolling. That is why I am actually sure that he will be in the top 20 again next year.”
Linker also stands out because of the Indian influences in his music. He gained inspiration during his training at the conservatory in Amsterdam. “There was an Indian sarangi player. Sarangi is a kind of Indian violin. That man explained about his music and played it too. And I was very fascinated by that. It was improvised music.”
The free way of making music appeals to the young composer from Drenthe. “I think it is a very beautiful and natural way. Because basically everything in your life is improvised, you do not determine how you are going to brush your teeth or make breakfast. If you also make music in that way, it gives a very beautiful feeling.”
Linker has previously won cultural prizes from the municipality of Emmen and the province of Drenthe. “So far, all prizes have been for young talent and this is actually my first ‘big people prize’. Super honorable and confirmation that you are doing well.”