Johan Van der Linden graduated in 1983 at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam. Followed master classes with Iwan Roth, Daniel Defayet, Frederik Hemke, Francois Daneels and others. In 1982, together with his colleagues, André Arends, Arno Bornkamp and Willem van Merwijk, he founded the Aurelia Saxophone Quartet. This Saxophone Quartet has become one of the leading chamber music ensembles in the world. In 2013, Johan left the quartet after 31 fertile years. From 1982 to 1990, Johan van der Linden was appointed as Saxophonist of the Royal Military Chapel in The Hague.
In addition to his work as a teacher of Saxophone at the Conservatory in Zwolle (ArtEZ) and Utrecht (HKU), Van der Linden works as a freelance saxophonist with: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, Residentie Orchestra, Radio Philharmonisch Orkest. He is also a core member of the Nederlands Blazers Ensemble.
In addition to the busy playing and teaching practice and master classes all over the world, Van der Linden is also busy developing new repertoire for publishers, Molenaar Edition, Donemus, Tierolff, Matchingarts edition and G.M.F.
With the pianist Henry Kelder he has placed a duo that focuses on new music specially written for the duo at Matching Arts.
Johan was co-founder of Splendor Amsterdam. http://splendoramsterdam.com/. The place where artists and the public inspire each other.
Johan is an endorser of Henri SELMER Paris saxophones.
