Val & Cem
Valentine Blangé & Cem Karayalçin present new music for violin, guitar and mandolineLet yourself be carried across the boundaries of classical music and jazz in brand-new compositions and arrangements for violin, guitar, and mandolin. Val&Cem invite you to become part of their creative process and be among the first to discover the music from their upcoming album Offbeat — before they even enter the recording studio.
While studying at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, classical violinist Valentine Blangé and jazz guitarist Cem Karayalçin spent a long time moving alongside each other within the separate bubbles of their own departments. That changed in 2021, when they met and, driven by curiosity about each other’s musical worlds, began playing together. Just a few months later, they won first prize in the “Young Makers” category at the Dutch Violin Competition. Since then, the duo has appeared on Dutch television and radio with Podium Klassiek and NPO Klassiek, and performed at festivals including the Schiermonnikoog Festival, Nacht van de Viool, and the Grachtenfestival.
Val&Cem have created a truly distinctive sonic world, blending the rich tonal colours of their instruments with groove and improvisation. Their music resists easy categorisation, but if you enjoy buzzing strings, improvisation battles, and musical humour, you’ve come to the right place.
Valentine Blangé – violin
Cem Karayalçin – guitar & mandolin