Unlocking music for new listeners. To help musicians realize their artistic intentions. Making the music and the space sound as good as possible. Creating something beautiful together, something that touches, during working hours that don’t feel like work. In short: the love of music. That is what makes Zefir Records what it is.
Since Jakko van der Heijden founded the label in 1996, over 100 CDs have been released under the Zefir Records banner. Recognition followed in BBC Music Magazine, the Edison Music Awards, trade magazines Luister and Gramophone, The Guardian and other media.
A space must tell something
Since 2007, Zefir Records has had its home in the Zeeuwse Concertzaal in Middelburg, in the Concertstudio De Verwerij. The acoustics there, says Jakko, are pure gold that you just get as a gift. In his experience, a musician plays differently in such an impressive hall than in a dry studio. The reverberation does not have to be adjusted electronically afterwards, but comes back to the musician on the spot. This gives the musician wings, brings a special kind of liveliness to the playing and unity to the recordings. Moreover, even those who put the disc in the CD player at home can experience the space behind the sound.
Jakko also regularly packs his gear to make recordings elsewhere. As long as the chosen location is a space that tells something of itself. Adds something to the final sound. Then there can be a special interplay between music, musicians and acoustics. In that case it is more than worth the effort.
Jakko
Wel in het engels typen
About Jakko van der Heijden
Jakko studied music recording at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague [1988-1993]. He made recordings throughout Europe, including with Lydia Mordkovich, Daniel Wayenberg, Geoffrey Madge, Claron Mc Fadden, Nora Fischer, Lilian Farahani, Emily Beynon, Philip Glass, Het Zeeuws Orkest, Mike Fentross, and many others. In addition to his work for Zefir Records, he also recorded for several other labels such as Orange Mountain Music, Globe, and Carlton Classics, and provided many live recordings for national radio.
What direction and interpretation does a musician give to his playing? How can you optimally bring it to the CD listener? In acting as a first ear as well as a bridge between musician and listener, Jakko finds the great pleasure and privilege of his work.
Zeeland concert hall
Since 2007, Jakko has been part of the management of the Zeeuwse Concertzaal. When the survival of Middelburg’s Concert- en Gehoorzaal, as the Concert Hall used to be called, was threatened in 2004, he actively tried to preserve and renovate the hall. In 2007, he realised the Concertstudio De Verwerij there, a permanent acoustic recording studio where many of Zefir’s CDs are recorded – unique in the Netherlands, thanks to the Concert Hall’s fabulous acoustics.
Literary and artistic collaboration
With regularity, Jakko looks beyond music alone. He initiated and collaborated on soundscapes, audio portraits and performances for the Zeeuws Museum, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Boukje Schweigman, Oude Kerk Amsterdam, Vleeshal Center for Contemporary Art, Marinus Boezem, Upstream Gallery and other institutions, artists or collectives. He also contributed to literary projects by Christoph Buchwald, Jan Brokken, K. Schippers, A.L. Snijders, Anna de Bruyckere and Christian Blaha.
Continue reading, listening and watching
For a complete list of released CDs on Zefir look/go to the webshop.
Our use of equipment:
Avid Pro Tools
Apogee Big Ben Masterclock
Benchmark ADC1 AD-Converter
Benchmark DAC1 DA-Converter
PSI A25-M
RTW Digital Monitor
20* Solid State Logic XR621 SuperAnalogue MicPre
3* Solid State Logic XR623 4 channel Line Input Module
1* Solid State Logic XR622 Master Module
12* Solid State Logic XR621 MicPre Line Input
4* Neumann KM130
6* Neumann KM140
2* Neumann KM143
2* Neumann U87
2* DPA 4003
2* DPA 4006
4* DPA 4011
2* DPA 4015
4* Schoeps CMC5/MK4g
2* Schoeps CMC5/MK2g
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